Europe

Spain: industry minister, linked to offshore firms, resigns.

Associated Press
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FILE, In this Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 file photo, Spain's Energy and Tourism Minister Jose Manuel Soria speaks during a news conference in Madrid. Spain's acting industry minister, who has been linked to offshore companies, resigns. (AP Photo/Paul White, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE, In this Friday Dec. 23, 2011 file photo, Spain's Energy and Tourism Minister Jose Manuel Soria arrives at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid. Spain's acting industry minister, who has been linked to offshore companies, resigns. (AP Photo/Paul White, File) (The Associated Press)

Spain's ruling Popular Party says acting Industry Minister Jose Manuel Soria, whose name has been linked to offshore companies, has resigned.

The resignation on Friday came days before Soria was due to appear in Parliament to explain his claim that he never ran or owned a Bahamian offshore company although his name appeared on leaked documents identifying him as director of a firm.