Head of culture quits after threatening to give his critics ‘a sound slapping’

The head of culture in Portugal quit on Friday after causing an outcry by threatening to slap two newspaper critics. Culture minister Joao Soares said in a statement he didn’t want to create problems for his centre-left Socialist government. However, he also said he wasn’t prepared to give up his freedom of speech. “I won’t relinquish my right to express an opinion,” he said, after being publicly reprimanded for his Facebook threats by prime minister Antonio Costa.

I see that I do have to find him (columnist Augusto Seabra), and now also Vasco Pulido Valente, to give them some sound slapping. It will be good for them. And for me

Joao Soares

The row blew up after Mr Soares was criticised by two newspaper columnists, who accused him of being incompetent and promoting a “work style of cronyism, domineering and rudeness”. The minister, son of a former president and prime minister, responded on his Facebook page by threatening to give them a sound slapping. He later apologised for his remarks but decided to go after being given a dressing down by Mr Costa, who said minister should be “reserved in the way they express their emotions”. After accepting his resignation on Friday, the prime minister said: "I respect his decision and I thank him for his efforts and dedication in his job.“

joao soares