Government blocks CNI chief's appearance as parliament probes Ceuta spying scandal

In a move to avoid a contentious hearing, the government will restrict the upcoming secret-funds commission to ministerial participation, effectively barring CNI director Esperanza Casteleiro from testifying about the Ceuta crisis. Rafael Simancas confirmed the decision after the PP pushed for Casteleiro's appearance, while the PSOE indicated that defence minister Margarita Robles will represent the intelligence agency.

The controversy stems from a 2022 closed-door session where former CNI chief Paz Esteban disclosed that Pegasus had been used to spy on 18 separatist figures, such as Pere Aragonés and Míriam Nogueras. Following that session, Esteban was replaced by Casteleiro, and one outlet dispute pits Robles against interior minister Fernando Grande Marlaska over who will address the issue. Critics suggest the government aims to prevent the hearing from becoming a personal confrontation between the two ministers and to keep further classified documents from being exposed.