A scandal engulfing the Portuguese presidential palace has taken another twist just days before elections.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva has sacked the man who has been his closest advisor and spokesman for the last 24 years. Fernando Lima is said to have told Publico newspaper that the centre-right president believed his palace had been bugged by the secret service, which answers to the Socialist government. Another newspaper, Diario de Noticias, claims to have an email between two Publico journalists that name Lima as the leak. The scandal has diverted attention from campaigning for Sunday’s general election. Prime Minister José Socrates holds a slight polls lead over his centre-right rival Manuel Ferreira Leite. But as this controversy continues to simmer, there could be more twists in the tale.More about: Portuguese election, President

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