Portuguese PM admits failing to pay taxes on time

Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho admitted on Friday that he delayed paying social security taxes, according to local media report.

But he stressed "I don't owe any debt to the tax authorities." Passos Coelho told reporters in the Portugal's northeast district of Miradela, some 340 km from capital Lisbon, that he had paid "fines and surcharges" for failing to pay taxes on time, and had not had any benefits or privileges.

Passos Coelho's remarks came after local media reported on Monday that the prime minister was accused of tax evasion by former director of the Social Security Edmundo Martinho.

Martinho claimed Passos Coelho failed to pay his social security contributions between 1999 and 2004.

Over the tax evasion accusations, Passos Coelho has said he was ready to face political debate before the general elections in October this year. Enditem