Christian Democrats back their leader despite corruption scandal

The Christian Democratic Party leadership has thrown its full weight behind party leader Jiri Cunek who is suspected of corruption. Mr. Cunek who serves as Local Development Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and senator, has refused to resign from his posts despite the growing scandal surrounding his past activities in regional politics. The police suspect Mr. Cunek of having accepted a half a million crown bribe from a private company while he was still mayor of Vsetin. The key witness in the case is his former secretary who is under police protection after three men allegedly attempted to bribe her to change her testimony in Mr. Cunek's favour. Calls for his resignation have intensified but Mr. Cunek says he sees no reason to comply.