Socialist Party Opens Investigative File against Leire Díez and Cerdán: "I Can't Handle So Much Backstabbing"
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) distances itself from Leire Díez Castro, a former socialist councilor, following the publication of compromising audio recordings in which she allegedly sought information against UCO officials.
Initially labeled as a "whistleblower" and "right-hand man" of Santos Cerdán, the current PSOE secretary of organization, Díez has been criticized for her behavior, which the party admits was "not exemplary." In response, the PSOE has decided to open an information file against her, citing the media reports about Díez's actions as a grassroots affiliate.
Previously, Cerdán had denied giving her instructions, and he has since distanced himself from her. When asked about her involvement in his first statements following the release of the audio recordings, Cerdán simply stated, "I don't have that many arms for so many right hands."
Surprised by the media headlines related to the case, the PSOE is conducting a technical analysis to measure the reputational damage caused by these headlines, which may be used in future legal actions. Meanwhile, Cristina Narbona, the president of the PSOE, has expressed her "absolute surprise" at Díez Castro's behavior and her "displeasure" with the former councilor.
In a similar vein, Patxi López, the PSOE's spokesperson in Congress, has stated that he knows Díez previously, and if her reported actions are true, they are "reprehensible attitudes." This statement followed news reports of a meeting Díez had with a Civil Guard commander in March, during which she allegedly offered judicial protection and a promotion in exchange for evidence against the UCO.
Other party colleagues have been equally critical, with Minister Oscar López stating that the PSOE "has nothing to do with the 'matter.'" Meanwhile, Emiliano García-Page, a key figure within the party and its president in Castilla-La Mancha, has warned the PSOE that it is "taking too long to take more decisive measures" to stop the situation.
Leire Díez framed the audio recordings about the UCO in an investigative report and denied that the PSOE was involved in the matter. The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has also dissociated the departure of his number two from the controversy surrounding the audio recordings, arguing that they do not have any relationship to the PSOE or Interior Department actions.
ERC and United Left (IU) have commented on the controversy surrounding Díez, with ERC deputy Gabriel Rufián stating that the PSOE "is surrounded" and faces a "major hunt," while United Left's Enrique Santiago described the audios as "obscene and vulgar."
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) is contemplating legal actions to mitigate the potential reputational damage from the media headlines, given their involvement in the Leire Díez Castro controversy. In the political arena, Patxi López, the PSOE's spokesperson in Congress, has explicitly condemned Díez's alleged reprehensible actions as a breach of the party's policy-and-legislation and general-news standards.
