"The former president Lula da Silva did not come and ask for any favouritism on behalf of any Brazilian company,” said the prime minister before again categorically denying any “request for any favour. This did not happen and nor would it happen, I am convinced, whether from his side or from mine," Passos Coelho explained.


Passos Coelho also said “No, nothing” when asked whether he had received any request from the Brazilian judicial authorities.


The responses come off the back of the Portuguese attorney general announcing that the authorities would be cooperating with their Brazilian counterparts over the 'Lava Jato' corruption scandal that the Brazilian media maintains involves former president Lula da Silva and the multinational construction firm Odebrecht.


The attorney general’s office told Lusa by statement that a formal request had been submitted and that the authorities would be correspondingly carrying out their due investigations.