Madrid politician steps down over shoplifting scandal

Madrid’s regional president has resigned over allegations she stole face cream from a Spanish supermarket and faked her university degree.

The BBC reports Cristina Cifuentes stepped down overnight following CCTV video from 2011 showing her removing items from a handbag and handing them to a security guard.

The items are believed to be two containers of anti-ageing cream worth just over $70.

The 53-year-old politician with Spain’s centre-right Partido Popular party has labelled the release of the security footage “a campaign of harassment”.

“I was already the target of blackmail two years ago for that video, but this time I tell you a red line has been crossed,” the BBC quotes her as saying.

Ms Cifuentes’ decision to step down comes a week after it was revealed two signatures on her master’s university document were deemed fake.

At a press conference overnight, Ms Cifuentes said she had planned to resign from her party next week, however brought the announcement forward based on allegations against her.

Her decision to step down means she will not face a motion of no confidence from her party.

The region of Madrid Ms Cifuentes oversaw houses more than six million people, the BBC said.