Spain expels two US embassy staff for bribing intelligence agents

Spain has discreetly expelled at least two US Embassy staff accused of bribing Spanish intelligence officers for secrets.

There was no immediate confirmation from either country but, asked about the case, Spain's Defence Minister Margarita Robles played down any impact on relations. She acknowledged a judicial inquiry was underway into "irregular conduct" at the CNI intelligence agency, Reuters reports.

"Spain and the United States are friends, allies and partners," she told reporters. "When there are issues that may affect us, they are discussed and dealt with, but in no way does that influence the relations we have."

A US official in Spain said US Ambassador Julissa Reynoso would not comment.

The embassy personnel, whom El Pais did not identify by name or post, were quietly withdrawn at Madrid's request after an investigation showed that two Spanish intelligence officers gave information for "a large sum".