BRIBERY SCANDAL - Soukouras says he never bribed anyone, nor has relations with New Democracy

George Soukouras appeared on Mega Channel on Friday morning to deny the charges made against him by Independent Greeks party (ANEL) MP, Stavroula Xoulidou, as the man responsible in an alleged bribe attempt. According to him, he asked Xoulidou whether or not ANEL MP P. Melas took already accepted such a bribe, and not that other way around.

He underlined that there was never an attempt on his part to bribe anyone and that he has no relationship with the conservative New Democracy party. Quite interestingly he said that he “never spoke about money and the (the upcoming election of the Greek) President” but he did admit that he visited the offices of Mrs. Xoulidou, as well as ND MPs Adonis Georgiadis and Notis Mitarakis in order to discuss “the pensions of Northern Epirots”.

Regarding the controversial email where he apparently disclosed to Xoulidou that ANEL MP Panagiotis Melas already accepted a bribe with the aim of securing the 180 votes needed so that Greece would avoid snap elections in early 2015, Soukouras said that this was misread and apologized that Melas was implicated.

On his part, Melas has already responded that the bribery allegation was a "monstrous lie" and has threatened to take legal action against all who implicate him, including his own party colleagues.

It should be reminded that earlier this week the leader of ANEL, Panos Kammenos, told a televised news show that three months ago a member of the New Democracy approached one of his MPs and offered her three million Euros in order to secure their vote. (Click here to read full story)