The People's Party (PP) attacks Marlaska, who claims to be unaware of the sexual assault complaint against the National Police: "Resign!"

MadridShouts for resignation, table-banging, and serious accusations. This is what prevailed this Wednesday during the question period in the Congress of Deputies, with Pedro Sánchez absent due to his trip to India, following the Complaint of sexual assault against the head of the National PoliceThe PP has targeted Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, demanding he cover up the case. "We knew nothing and, given the seriousness of the situation, we asked him to resign," Marlaska told the media, after it emerged that a Madrid judge had dismissed him. has summoned him to testify The Deputy Director of Operations (DAO) of the National Police, José Ángel González, is under investigation for an alleged assault involving penetration of a lower-ranking officer. Officer Gemma Barrosso has temporarily assumed his duties.

After stating that he was asked to resign immediately, Marlaska also explained that the commissioner who, according to the complainant, coerced her into not reporting his superior will be removed from his post, and that an internal investigation will be opened. Spanish President Pedro Sánchez endorsed the minister from India, where he made an appearance to announce a new foreign policy strategy focused on Asia. "We will not accept lessons from those who cover up these kinds of cases," he said, and ruled out any resignations: "If the Ministry of the Interior had not acted decisively, there could have been calls for accountability, but the complaint was taken seriously and action was taken," said Sánchez, who criticized the People's Party (PP) for inaction in the case of the female councilors. However, in an interview on Antena 3, the dismissed Deputy Director of Operations (DAO) asserted that upon learning of the lawsuit, he decided to resign in writing "so as not to tarnish the name of the police." The Spanish government responded to the accusations from the Popular Party (PP), which began very early this morning on X to point the finger at the Spanish government in this case: "If the government has had an alleged rapist at the head of the National Police for at least a month, and now he's leaving, it's only possible," declared PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. He continued: "Are we really supposed to accept that an entire Minister of the Interior has no idea that his police leadership commits and covers up crimes?"

Once the plenary session of Congress began, the PP's rhetoric steadily increased. "Criminals in the Council of Ministers and criminals in the party," exclaimed PP spokesperson Esther Muñoz, who also criticized the alleged corruption schemes affecting the PSOE, involving its two former organizational secretaries, José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán. "What are you still doing here, Mr. Marlaska?" the deputy spokesperson, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, raised her voice even further: "It must be dissolved, like Convergència, before a judge does. Your partners are already searching for a name; what will yours be? Neither socialist nor worker," she snapped. "It's nauseating to see you here. A whole minister covering up an alleged rape," went the PP's general secretary, Miguel Tellado, even further.

"You must apologize, it's a disgrace," continued PP deputy Mirian Guardiola Salmerón, addressing Marlaska. Even harsher was PP deputy Jaime de Olano: "After covering up for the alleged rapist and his right-hand man, I don't know."

What is the now former Deputy Director of Operations (DAO) of the National Police accused of? According to the victim's complaint, he sexually assaulted her in an official residence owned by the Ministry of the Interior, which she was pressured to go to while on duty. The complaint was accompanied by an audio recording and specified that she had given "unequivocal, clear, and persistent refusals" to the aggressor. It should be noted that the DAO is the highest position a police officer can reach and is just below the Director General, who oversees the political direction of the Ministry of the Interior. The events occurred in April 2025, and the PP also criticized the Spanish government for having acted a year earlier... The Deputy Director of Operations of the National Police will remain in his post despite being eligible for retirement, a measure approved along with others related to the DANA (National Anti-Drug Plan).

Marlaska threatens legal action

"If you dare, say it outside the chamber," the minister responded, since inside the chamber, members of parliament are protected by parliamentary immunity when delivering their speeches. "If you say it outside, I will file a lawsuit against you for slander," he warned, emphasizing that they were unaware of all the facts until Tuesday. However, the minister assured them that he would resign if the victim felt he had failed her or had been left unprotected during this process. The Second Vice President and leader of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, has demanded that the PP stop treating victims this way. "You are immoral," she said in defense of her government colleague, Minister Óscar Puente, whom the PP has also demanded resign over the Adamuz and Gelida accidents. "We can say that they knew about the complaint against the mayor of Móstoles and that they covered it up," Puente said, alluding to the fact that the PP defended its mayor. in response to the harassment complaint filed by one of its councilwomen"If I were a victim, I would feel like vomiting," concluded PP deputy Silvia Franco.