Portas, head of the Popular Party, a right-wing partner in the government coalition, answered questions about the relationship between Moderna University and a polling institution it finances, which Portas managed in

At stake was Portas' alleged use of university funds for political and private gains.

Portas stressed later he had not himself been placed under judicial examination but had simply appeared as a witness.

Thirteen former members of the management of Moderna University, including the former rector, face charges of criminal association, fraudulent management, fraud, forging documents and bribery.

"I made a tremendous effort of memory to recall events that happened four or five years ago in an attempt to seek the truth," the minister told journalists after the hearing.

The defence minister's implication in the scandal, which has dragged in more and more public and private individuals, strikes another blow at public confidence in government here.

Former labour minister and current Socialist Party spokesman Paulo Pedroso was recently remanded in custody following a scandal over alleged pedophilia in a state youth reformatory.

"Now I'm going to do my job," the minister said after the hearing, as he prepared to meet US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Tuesday.

Portas testified on financial links between Moderna University and Amostra, the public opinion research institute he previously ran.

The minister had previously submitted written testimony, but the judges decided to summon him in person following statements by one of the main accused, Jose Braga Goncalves, son of the former rector of Moderna university.

The courts want to know about the alleged financing of a stay Portas made in the town of Braga during a congress of his Popular Party in 1998 when he became party chief.

They also wished to hear about the supposed use on that occasion of the security services of a company managed by Moderna university.

Last week Lisbon's former mayor Joao Soares, son of former Portuguese president Mario Soares, appeared as a witnesses at the Moderna hearings.

Portas in 2001 resisted opposition pressure to resign over a police report into links between two companies he headed in 1997-98 and Moderna university.

The minister then claimed he was the victim of campaign by arms industry lobbyists threatened by Portas' push for greater transparency in government arms contracts.

Since becoming defence minister Portas has pulled Portugal out of a 34-million-euro (40-million-dollar) contract with the Franco-German Eurocopter consortium for the purchase of nine military helicopters which were not delivered on time.

He ordered a review of all military expenditure and queried plans to buy three submarines as well as Portugal's participation in European programmes such as the military Airbus A400M aircraft.

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