German minister loses car - in Spain

Germany's Health Minister was under pressure yesterday to explain why she took her official limousine, with chauffeur, on holiday to Spain, where the vehicle was stolen.

Ulla Schmidt flew to Alicante at her own expense, but her driver drove the nearly 2410km journey in her $196,000 limousine to Spain from Berlin to ferry her to and from official meetings with German retirees in southeastern Spain.

"Her chauffeur's accommodation was broken into and the car keys were stolen," said a Health Ministry spokesman.