Spain's deputy PM says call for inquiry is part of attempt to discredit him

Remarks follow request for supreme court to investigate Podemos leader's actions in spying case

Spain's deputy prime minister, the Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias, has dismissed speculation that he may be investigated by the country's supreme court, describing it as part of a long-running campaign to discredit him and his party, and to topple the leftwing coalition government and thwart its reforms.

A judge at Spain's highest criminal court, the audiencia nacional, sent a written request to the supreme court this week asking it to look into Iglesias' actions in relation to a tangled and long-running spying case.