When asked about his confidence in the Secretary of State for Agriculture, João Moura, Luís Montenegro stated that “the question doesn’t make sense,” explaining that he is unaware of any ongoing investigation but issued a warning.
“We have no information about this. What we want to happen in the country is for institutions to function properly, so if there is anything to investigate, let it be investigated,” he said, following a ceremony at the Sernancelhe Chamber marking symbolic support for farmers affected by fires a month ago.
The Prime Minister argued that it is not systematic to question the continued positions of people subject to investigations of complaints.
“We cannot operate under a system where an anonymous complaint triggers a process and then the story becomes that there is an ongoing process, which means the person in question cannot hold their position. That is not systematic,” he argued.
The Prime Minister stated that with a “sense of responsibility,” the government will “monitor the situation” involving the Secretary of State for Agriculture, João Moura, who was absent from the ceremony in Sernancelhe today.
“Honestly, I don’t know anything about this, and, therefore, I can’t provide any further information,” Montenegro reiterated.
Today, Correio da Manhã reported that Secretary of State João Moura is being investigated by the Judicial Police. The newspaper alleges that suspicions of corruption and money laundering are involved, although no sources were cited.
