PM Topolánek threatens to resign as Civic Democrats’ head if party doesn’t clean up act

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek said on Tuesday that he would step down as leader of the Civic Democratic Party unless it pushes through an internal clean-up and reforms. Mr Topolánek’s comments come in the midst of a blackmailing scandal which has sent shock waves throughout the right-wing party, exposing bitter divisions and already causing one MP to resign. The scandal erupted when one party deputy agreed to buy compromising photos of a rebel party colleague, which it turned out had been staged and were part of a media sting.