Spain's ruling conservatives hit by graft allegations

Spain's ruling Popular Party was hit by yet more corruption allegations Wednesday as the former head of the Madrid region was arrested under a probe into embezzlement of public money.

The arrest comes a day after a court summoned conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to testify as a witness in a graft trial involving former PP politicians, the first time in modern history that any Spanish premier will have to take the stand.

A spokesman for Spain's National Court, which investigates major corruption cases, said 12 people had now been detained.

In a statement, the PP said Ignacio Gonzalez, former president of the Madrid regional government, was one of those arrested.

The probe centres on the alleged theft of funds belonging to publicly-owned Canal de Isabel II -- which runs water resources in the Spanish capital and its surrounding towns and villages -- during the previous Madrid regional government administration, the court spokesman said.

In its statement, the PP said it had suspended Gonzalez as a member of the grouping, adding that it "rejected all forms of corruption, no matter where it comes from."

Corruption is a major issue in Spain -- which last year scored its worst ranking in Transparency International's annual corruption perceptions index.

The PP has been particularly hard hit by graft allegations, but its rival Socialists have also been affected.

Although the PP still won a general election last year, it failed to retain the absolute majority it won in 2011, and Rajoy now heads a minority government.