FORMER president for the Greater Madrid region, Ignacio González has been arrested over suspected public fund embezzlement – along with around 10 others.

González, on the PP, was managing director of the public-sector firm, Canal de Isabel II, between 2003 and 2012, the year took over as Madrid regional president from Esperanza Aguirre and which lasted until 2015, when current leader Cristina Cifuentes took over.

Sra Cifuentes, hailed as one of the most left-leaning top-flight PP members and who has an excellent working relationship with Madrid's leftist mayoress Manuela Carmena (Ahora Madrid-Podemos), is said to have reported 'irregularities' in the Canal de Isabel II's financing.

She uncovered an 'illegal' acquisition of a Brazilian firm by the Madrid company back in 2013 – a purchase valued at €10 million but which went through at €21.5m, with the balance stashed in a Swiss bank account.

Judge Eloy Velasco has called González to the dock to answer to his charges of embezzlement, bribery, money-laundering, power-dealing, illegal funding, and even 'organised crime'.

Whistleblower Cristina Cifuentes has also been called to testify as witness.