Former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian, in detention in the island’s biggest corruption case, has admitted to not properly managing his family’s finances, but maintained he was not corrupt and that his prosecution has been politically motivated.

“My wife wired money abroad without my knowledge,” Mr Chen told the Financial Times from the prison where he is being held in solitary confinement. “That was certainly wrong. I didn’t manage my family well and for that I have to take moral and political responsibility.”