Algarve MP case dropped in Galpgate inquiry

Algarve MP, Cristóvão Norte, has been cleared of ‘receiving undue advantage’ in the Galpgate case.

The Public Prosecutor has closed the file on the Social Democratic MP’s freebie attendance at the Euro 2016 football event in France.

Several politicians were entertained at the football series at the expense of the Galp. In Norte’s case, the Public Prosecutor concluded that, “there is insufficient evidence in the records of the practice of such criminal offences.”

Although it is undeniable that Rui Oliveira Neves, the coordinator of Galp’s legal department, invited Cristóvão Norte, “at Galp’s expense to travel to Lyon to watch the match between Portugal and Hungary in the Euro2016, and that the MP accepted.”

Norte says that his attendance was not due to the fact he was an MP as Neved was a friend of his, they met regularly and even had enjoyed holidays together.

Also, the invitation to Cristóvão Norte came after someone else had ducked out, so Norte was a “second choice, just three days before the event.”

Cristóvão Norte is the only Galpgate defendant to have had the case against him dropped.