LIMA: Peru's vice president on Tuesday said he was taking a leave of absence to faces charges of influence peddling in a probe that could damage President Ollanta Humala's government.
However Omar Chehade, who assumed office with a reputation for battling corruption and is being investigated on suspicion of influence peddling, said in a statement he refused to resign "because I am innocent of all the charges."
The announcement comes two days after Humala urged Chehade on television to "step aside" to defend himself while the investigation was under way.
According to Peru's constitution, only Congress -- and not the president -- has the authority to dismiss a vice president.
"While the investigation lasts ... I will not carry out my duty" as vice president, Chehade said.
Former police general Guillermo Arteta has said that Chehade ordering the removal of workers who had taken over a sugar mill in a dispute with a powerful business group.
Chehade however accused Arteta of making up the charges to avenge his dismissal as part of a reorganization of the national police force.
Humala, a leftist former army officer, was sworn in as president in July after campaigning on promises to put the country's solid economic growth to use in combating its high poverty.
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