A FORMER leader of Mexico’s biggest teaching union has been cleared of all charges after spending nearly five years in jail awaiting trial for alleged corruption.

Elba Esther Gordillo was granted “absolute and immediate freedom” by a federal court, her lawyer announced on Wednesday, after it had ruled that there were insufficient grounds to proceed with the case filed against her by Mexico’s attorney general.

Ms Gordillo was accused of embezzling $200 million (£155m) from the National Educational Workers Syndicate (SNTE). She was alleged to have blown the money on plastic surgery, property and a private jet.