Spanish government to sue El Pais El Pais in January published account ledgers purportedly showing that Mariano Rajoy, now prime minister, and other party leaders received tens of thousands of euros in undeclared payments channelled from donors. The allegations have prompted public prosecutors to open an investigation into the party's financing. The affair rattled the party and fuelled public outrage as Rajoy pushes through economic reforms to stabilise Spain's crisis-hit public finances. In its statement the party said the documents were false and had "seriously damaged the image of the Popular Party and its leaders." It demanded the newspaper pay 500,000 euros (£432,000) in compensation which it would give to a social cause.