LISBON, April 21 Reuters Portugal39;s government fired the chief executive of flag carrier TAP last month without a legal assessment of the move, Finance Minister Fernando Medina has acknowledged, deepening a highprofile scandal around the stateowned airline.

His remarks in parliament late on Thursday contradicted claims by two fellow ministers a day earlier that the government had obtained a legal opinion backing the decision. This heightens chances of the state losing a potential lawsuit by the sacked executives worth millions of euros.

The growing controversy around TAP, which has already led to resignations in the government, could hinder Lisbon39;s preparations to privatise the airline, with bigger foreign rivals Lufthansa, and British Airways owner IAG laying the groundwork for potential bids.

CEO Christine OurmièresWidener and chairman Manuel Beja, were dismissed with just cause on March 6 after an inspection found that a 500,000euro 547,750 severance payment to former board member Alexandra Reis was illegal.

After OurmièresWidener called her sacking illegal, the main opposition Social Democrats warned that unless the decision had proper legal backing, the state could lose an eventual court dispute.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ana Catarina Mendes and Cabinet Minister Mariana Veira da Silva said on Wednesday the government had obtained a legal opinion backing the decision, but refused to send it to parliament to safeguard the public interest.

But late on…