Spanish Prime Minister faces parliament over corruption scandal

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is appearing before MP's over a corruption scandal threatening his governing Popular Party. Mr Rajoy is to answer questions related to illegal payments from a fund run by the Popular Party's former treasurer, Luis Barcenas, who faces tax fraud charges. The Prime Minister and other party members deny claims they received the illegal payments. Widespread anger over the allegations has led to anti-government protests and calls for Mr Rajoy to resign; and clashes erupted between anti-government protesters and police in July after hundreds of people gathered outside the PP parties headquarters, calling on the government to quit. The allegations first originated in a 2009 judicial investigation into corrupt payments involving members of the Popular Party. In January this year, El Pais published an alleged list of illegal payments within the party. Mr Rajoy has previously said he wants to "give an explanation, tell everything that has happened and give my side of the story...to all citizens". A recent poll said just 14% of the Spanish people believe Mr Rajoy and his party are innocent.