Brazilian government in turmoil after justice minister resigns

President Jair Bolsonaro denies he sought to influence federal police inquiries

Brazil's government has been plunged into turmoil after the resignation of one of Jair Bolsonaro's most powerful ministers sparked protests, calls for the president's impeachment and an investigation into claims he had improperly interfered in the country's federal police.

In a rambling televised address late on Friday, Brazil's embattled president denied claims from his outgoing justice minister Si(C)rgio Moro that he had sought to appoint a new federal police chief in order to gain access to secret intelligence reports - for reasons that remain murky.