Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, speechless after being asked by 'ElConstitucional.es' why Ayuso visited the luxury penthouse: "I don't know that"

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez has avoided explaining to 'ElConstitucional.es' why Isabel Díaz Ayuso visited the luxury penthouse in Chamberí after the public company Planifica Madrid bought it for 6.3 million euros. The Chief of Staff of the Madrid president has tried to turn the tables by bringing Pedro Sánchez into the conversation, although the questions referred to the contradictions surrounding the regional government's operation.

This newspaper asked Rodríguez this Wednesday how the visit occurred, when it took place, and why Ayuso went to the property after publicly disassociating herself from its acquisition. His first answer was brief. "No idea", he replied.

Next, Ayuso's main advisor shifted the focus to the central government. Rodríguez defended that the Community of Madrid never bought a home for the president and accused Sánchez of lying when talking about the "aticazo" (big penthouse). "Once again, we have caught Sánchez in a lie", he maintained, without addressing the reason why the Madrid leader visited the apartment.

'ElConstitucional.es' then insisted on the specific question. "Why did Ms. Ayuso visit the apartment if she knew nothing about it?". Rodríguez's answer again left the matter unclear. "I don't know that," he admitted. Asked if the visit reinforced suspicions about a possible residential purpose, he only answered "the opposite" and later added that Ayuso "will explain herself".

The information published this Wednesday by 'El País' states that the president's entourage recognizes for the first time that Ayuso visited the property in June or early July, when Planifica Madrid had already acquired it. According to that version, she went to assess the possibility of temporarily installing her office there during the planned works at the Real Casa de Correos.

The recognition clashes with the distance Ayuso had marked regarding the operation. Last August 5, the president assured that she lacked information about the purchases made by Planifica Madrid. "I have no idea. It is not my competence", she stated then, before referring any explanation to the Ministry of the Presidency.

The purchase is already under judicial investigation. Madrid's Court of Instruction number 8 opened proceedings after receiving several complaints for possible crimes of embezzlement, prevarication, and disloyal administration. The penthouse was subsequently put up for sale for 6.7 million euros. Rodríguez has also not answered whether Ayuso will appear to personally clarify why she visited the property.