Spain's PP party has defended activist Vito Quiles after Begoña Gómez, wife of the prime minister, filed a complaint against him for alleged assault in a Madrid restaurant. PP secretary general Miguel Tellado claims the available images show a socialist militant assaulting a journalist. The incident took place on Wednesday and is now under judicial review.
On Wednesday midday, Begoña Gómez was approached by Vito Quiles inside a restaurant in Las Rozas de Madrid, according to La Moncloa sources. Accompanied by a man and two friends, Gómez filed a complaint against the activist for alleged assault, claiming Quiles blocked her exit and harassed her group. The venue has security cameras, but their footage has not been released.
PP secretary general Miguel Tellado defended Quiles on Thursday in Congress corridors. "The victim is a journalist", Tellado stated, referring to images recorded and shared by Quiles himself on social media. He condemned "all types of violence" and urged the PSOE to dismiss the Torrelodones PSOE official accompanying Gómez, whom he accuses of assaulting Quiles.
PP spokesperson Ester Muñoz condemned any violence, including by the journalist, and noted that Begoña Gómez "will have to give many explanations". Quiles, accredited at Congress despite a nearing expulsion process, celebrated on social media Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez suspending his agenda: "Apreteu, que funciona".
Quiles has close ties to the PP, which invited him to its Aragón campaign closing in February and Nuevas Generaciones events. He faces court cases for defamation against Facua's Rubén Sánchez and for revealing secrets against Beatriz Corredor.
