Valencia, Spain - A court in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia on Monday shelved corruption charges against a high-ranking politician in a scandal affecting the main opposition conservative People's Party (PP), judicial sources said.

Francisco Camps, prime minister of the Valencia region, is one of the main regional leaders of the PP, and the suspicions of him had affected the party's reputation.

The court accepted an appeal lodged by Camps against charges that had initially been presented against him at Madrid's National Court.

Camps had been suspected of accepting bribes in the form of gifts, including suits worth thousands of euros.

The court also cleared regional PP secretary-general Ricardo Costa and two former regional officials.

Dozens of businessmen, politicians and others have been implicated with the corruption network allegedly created by businessman Francisco Correa.

PP representatives governing regions or municipalities are suspected of accepting millions of euros in bribes from companies in exchange for contracts and illegal building permits.

The scandal has led to several resignations, including that of PP treasurer Luis Barcenas. (dpa)