A court in Santander has formally named Leticia Díaz, Vox's Cantabria spokesperson, as an investigated party. The case centers on a spy pen used to record internal conversations. The scandal exposes deep divisions within the party.
The judicial investigation into Vox's Cantabria parliamentary group has intensified, with the court now focusing directly on Leticia Díaz, the party's spokesperson in the regional parliament. The move follows the discovery of a spy pen containing audio files, which allegedly captured private conversations among Vox deputies and advisers. The case, which has already fractured the group, now places Díaz at the center of a potential criminal proceeding for the suspected offense of discovery and disclosure of secrets.
The decision, made public by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cantabria (TSJC), comes after the analysis of the device's contents. The judge leading the case has summoned Díaz as an investigated party, citing evidence that she was aware of the pen's existence, understood its function, and expressed interest in the recordings. Among the 25 audio files found, three feature a woman's voice identified by several individuals as belonging to Díaz. In one recording, a comment about the device's potential to yield “great things” was highlighted by the magistrate as a key reason to expand the investigation.
The court's resolution also considers the tense internal climate within Vox's Cantabria group. The judge notes that the recordings took place amid open political conflict between deputies and advisers, a rivalry that had already become public and is now a significant factor in the case. The professional relationship between Díaz and an adviser already under investigation is also under scrutiny, as complainants acknowledged that this adviser worked almost exclusively for Díaz at the time. This, combined with the content of the recordings and the internal disputes, led the court to formally include Díaz in the proceedings.
The investigation began after two Vox deputies and two advisers reported finding a recording pen on the desk of the adviser now under investigation. The device was discovered in a shared parliamentary office, and the complainants suspected it had been used to secretly record conversations, possibly to harm certain individuals amid ongoing internal disagreements. The crisis within Vox's Cantabria group dates back two years, when the parliamentary bloc split into rival factions led by Díaz and, on the other side, deputies Cristóbal Palacio and Armando Blanco. The national party leadership was forced to intervene and oversee the group's activities. The current case brings these internal conflicts back into the spotlight.
This judicial development could have significant implications for Vox's future in Cantabria, especially regarding the selection of the party's next regional candidate. While the party is currently chaired by Santander city councillor Laura Velasco, there is no clear leadership beyond Díaz's parliamentary role. The outcome of the investigation may influence the party's direction and internal balance of power.
Cases involving political espionage and internal party disputes have drawn national attention in Spain in recent years. For example, the high-profile Kitchen case in Madrid, which also revolved around secret recordings and internal party intrigue, recently concluded after months of hearings. Details of that case, which involved former officials and allegations of spying on a party treasurer, can be found in this report on the Kitchen case verdict. Such incidents highlight the growing scrutiny of political conduct and privacy within Spanish institutions.
Under Spanish law, the crime of discovery and disclosure of secrets can carry serious penalties, especially when committed by public officials or in the context of political activity. The case against Leticia Díaz is being closely watched, as it may set a precedent for how internal party surveillance is treated by the courts. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as the court continues to examine the evidence and testimonies.
