MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Child prostitution scandal in Santiago.

A Chilean politician who accused three fellow members of Congress of alleged links with a child prostitution ring currently under investigation, resigned from her party.

Deputy Pia Guzman when asked to reveal names said the information had been provided to her by the president of a NGO that combats sexual abuse of children, Ms. Claudia Fuentes, "a source of information that is and has always been of utmost trust".

However Ms. Fuentes indicated that she actually had invited Ms. Guzman to talk about some videos in police custody where apparently some well known politicians could be seen involved in indecent acts with children.

She later heard about the accusations when Ms. Guzmán was being interviewed by a local radio station.

Last week a well known Santiago businessman with good political contacts and who lives in the very fashionable area of Las Condes was arrested for sexually abusing minors and promoting child prostitution and pornography.

Apparently the Chilean police is also in possession of at least 300 videos, including some very graphic with "depraved orgies", which supposedly were handed to the judge in charge of the case.

Another sinister character involved in the killing of a travesty apparently was also arrested at the flat of the businessman where the parties with minors took place and the videos were discovered.

Ms. Guzmán justified her resignation saying she didn't want her party involved in the public controversy, since "I have always trusted Ms. Fuentes, she has my full support and I know she has been under enormous pressure. When paedophile rings are involved there must be no mercy or hiding of facts no matter who is involved".

Even president Ricardo Lagos was forced into the controversy when he cautioned about naming names when a judicial investigation was ongoing, and also warned on the potential damage to the whole political system with "these rather wild, irresponsible accusations".

A delegation of members of Chilean Congress is scheduled to meet with Supreme Court Judges this week.