Greek PM survives confidence vote but phone-tapping scandal rumbles on

Opposition leader Alexis Tsipras describes Kyriakos Mitsotakis as mastermind of a criminal network'

Greece's prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has survived a no-confidence vote over a phone-tapping scandal that has shocked the nation and sparked mounting concern in the EU.

After three days of rancorous debate, the censure motion was defeated on Friday by 156 votes to 143 in the 300-seat chamber of deputies. With passions animated by disclosures of wiretaps being placed on politicians, army top brass and journalists, the debate had run into the wee hours before the vote.