Spanish PM’s brother banned from public office after misconduct trial

Conviction over hiring by socialist-led council is one of a series of corruption claims facing Pedro Sánchez’s family The brother of Spain’s prime minister has been banned from holding public office for nine years after being found guilty of administrative misconduct relating to his hiring by a socialist-led council in the south-western region of Extremadura nine years ago. Corruption allegations involving Pedro Sánchez’s family, his government and his Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) have triggered repeated opposition calls for a snap general election. All the accused have denied wrongdoing. David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor, was one of 11 people who went on trial in May accused of influence peddling and misuse of office. The case originated with a complaint brought by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a self-styled trade union with far-right links that has a long history of using the courts to pursue those it deems to pose a threat to Spain’s democratic interests. According to the complaint, David Sánchez was handed a bespoke job as coordinator of public music schools by the socialist-led council of the south-western province of Badajoz in July 201