Afternoon:
9°c
The children of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi have sprung to his defence over his
friendship with an 18-year-old model.
Opposition leader Dario Franceschini asked whether Italians would want their children
raised by a man like him. Mr Berlusconi's five children said Mr Franceschini should be
ashamed of himself for having dragged them into Italy's campaign for next week's European elections.
“I would be thrilled for Franceschini's children if they had a father like mine,” said Marina
Berlusconi, the oldest child and an executive in his media empire.
Their mother, Veronica Lario, said Mr Berlusconi's presence at the 18th birthday party of Noemi Letizia was a factor when she
announced she wanted a divorce from the 72-year-old premier.
Mr Berlusconi has denied there was anything scandalous in his relations with Letizia, describing her as the daughter of a friend
from political circles. He said he went to the party because he happened to be in Naples that day.
He has offered to explain fully the relationship at a late date. “Berlusconi is a politically
successful man, rich and powerful,” said Mr Franceschini.
“To the Italians, I want to ask: Would you want your children brought up by this man? A man who leads a country must know how to transmit values, positive values. We were brought up in a
sensible, family environment rich with values,” said Berlusconi's three children from his marriage to Veronica, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi.
Reader views (2)
When your getting old one can only dream its all thats left
- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh Essex, 28/05/2009 13:54
Report abuse
"18-year-old model."
Really? Presumably she's a hand or foot model then?
- Bob, Cheam, 28/05/2009 11:04
Report abuse
