Peru’s second vice-President, Omar Chehade has been at the centre of a political scandal during the past few days.

According to retired police general Guillermo Arteta, Chehade participated in a meeting with three police chiefs to discuss the conflict over the Andahuasi sugar mill.

According to IDL-Reporteros, it all started when Arteta, then head of the territorial directorate of Northern Lima, received a call from police general Raul Salazar, inviting him to dinner that night with the second vice-President Omar Chehade.

Among those at dinner that night, according to Arteta, were Salazar, police general Abel Gamarra, – who at the time was chief of police in Tumbes - vice-President Chehade, his brother Miguel and his cousin.

After the meal, Chehade excused himself and left the restaurant. Chehade’s brother and cousin explained to the generals that they wanted to coordinate an eviction in Andahuasi, so that Grupo Wong could take control of operations at the site.

According to Arteta, it was clear the Chehades were acting on behalf of Grupo Wong.

Since the accusations were made Vice-President Chehade has said he has a clear conscience, and that issue was just part of a campaign that sought to harm the government and the restructuring of the National Police.

"There has been (...) no influence peddling and I that say to the nation, with absolute certainty, with a clear conscience," he said, according to Andina.

Chehade confirmed that he had met with the police chiefs to discuss public safety issues and the incident that occurred at the ‘Monumental’ stadium, but never discussed an eviction, as claimed by Arteta.

Chehade said the accusations were based on statements from a general who was bitter over his forced-retirement, a consequence of the recent National Police restructuring.