12 Jul 2013

Luxembourg prime minister resigns

1:15 pm on 12 July 2013

Europe's longest serving leader has resigned following a spying scandal.

Jean-Claude Juncker, who's been prime minister of Luxembourg since 1995, also called early elections.

The BBC reports he is accused of allowing the Luxembourg secret service to take part in illegal activities, including tapping phone conversations and corruption.

Mr Juncker was a strong supporter of the European Union and spent eight years as head of the euro-zone group of finance ministers.

He tendered his resignation to Grand Duke Henri on Thursday.

Junior coalition partners withdrew their support after a parliamentary inquiry last week said Luxembourg's security agency illegally bugged politicians and members of the public, purchased cars for private use and took payments and favours in exchange for access to influential officials.