Spain PM Mariano Rajoy denies 'false' slush fund claim

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has strongly denied media claims that he and other members of the governing Popular Party received secret payments.

"The Popular Party has not got accounts in other countries, and has never given permission to open an account in another country" he said, stressing that he would not resign.

El Pais newspaper published photographs of ledgers showing payments to Popular Party figures on Thursday.

It said Mr Rajoy had collected 25,200 euros (£22,000; $34,000) a year between 1997 and 2008.