The governor of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Garotinho, has sacked one of his top security advisors following a row over police abuses.

The advisor, Luis Eduardo Soares, had denounced what he said was a corrupt gang within the Rio police force, responsible for drug trafficking, kidnappings and murder.

But Mr Garotinho said Mr Soares should have consulted him before making the allegations public.

The BBC Brazil correspondent says the dismissal is a serious blow to the governor's effort to tackle the issue of police corruption, which is blamed in part for the city's high crime rate.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service