No port bribery by Brazilian president

The head of Brazil’s federal police told Reuters that there was no proof that a decree by Mr Temer to extend contracts governing port concessions favoured logistics firm Rodrimar, which operates services in the Port of Santos.

“What we see is that the decree itself did not in theory benefit the company. There was no benefit. And there is no word about money being paid,” said director general Fernando Segovia in an interview with Reuters.

“Until now, absolutely nothing has appeared that would be the basis for corruption,” Mr Segovia said.

The main piece of evidence turned up by the investigation into the decree, signed in May, was a wiretap of a conversation between former congressman Rodrigo Rocha Loures, a close aide to the president, and a presidential legal advisor, Gustavo Rocha, reported Reuters.

But the conversation shows the legal advisor saying the decree could not be changed to favour the company and that Mr Temer opposed such a change, Mr Segovia said.

Reuters said that according to press reports, Temer, who has denied any role in the corruption scandals, was asked by police whether he was offered campaign donations by representatives from the Port of Santos in exchange for fulfilling their demands, among other questions.

Mr Segovia was appointed by Mr Temer to look into the issue late last year.