Bolsonaro denies interference by firing police chief

Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro on Friday rejected accusations made by his former minister of justice, Sergio Moro, who resigned earlier in the day alleging political interference in the federal police force.

Moro, who became popular as a crusader against corruption, made the announcement after President Jair Bolsonaro fired the head of the federal police Mauricio Valeixo.

Moro told reporters Bolsonaro had promised him a free hand, and that he warned Bolsonaro on Thursday that removing Valeixo without cause would amount to political interference.

Bolsonaro did so anyway, without consulting Moro, the minister said, adding he took it as evidence he was no longer wanted in the position.

Valeixo worked closely with Moro in the sprawling Car Wash corruption probe until the end of 2018.

The investigation ensnared scores of politicians and businessmen throughout Latin America, including former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the CEO of construction giant Odebrecht, and transformed Moro into a folk hero.

The former judge was Bolsonaro's most widely known and popular minister, with approval ratings considerably higher than the president's.