European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has denied he encouraged tax avoidance when he was prime minister of Luxembourg.

The former premier broke his silence on the so-called Lux Leaks affair after more than a week.

But he admitted that he was “politically responsible” for the Grand Duchy’s fiscal arrangements.

“ I am politically responsible for what happened in each and every corner and quarter of that country.”

“When concrete measures are taken by the administration, if this is leading to a state of non-taxation, then I would regret that.”

The 59-year-old served as the country’s premier and finance minister over a 19-year period.

During that time, a number of major firms brokered deals that legally allowed them to avoid tax elsewhere.

The so-called LuxLeaks report published last week named more than three hundred companies with such arrangements.

It comes at an embarrassing time for Juncker; he’s about to set off for the G20 where world leaders will discuss how to fight tax avoidance and evasion.