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10/03/2006
Italian prosecutors request Mills and Berlusconi face corruption charges
Prosecutors in Italy have asked a judge to allow Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British lawyer to be tried on corruption charges.
It has been alleged that Mr Berlusconi paid Mr Mills around £344,000 in 1997, in exchange for giving false testimony in two corruption trials in the late Nineties.
The announcement comes a month before the Italian General Election, which is due to be held on April 9-10. Mr Berlusconi has accused prosecutors of conducting a politically motivated battle against him.
Mr Mills, who recently announced his split from his wife, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, has faced increasing controversy in Britain over the affair.
Last week, Ms Jowell was cleared of breaching the ministerial code of conduct over the £344,000, which she said her husband had not told her about.
Mr Mills had also said that the payment came from another client and not from Mr Berlusconi, as alleged.
A judge will now decide if the case will go to full trial, with an initial hearing possible in May.
Under Italian law, the case will have to go to trial within two years.
(KMcA/GB)
It has been alleged that Mr Berlusconi paid Mr Mills around £344,000 in 1997, in exchange for giving false testimony in two corruption trials in the late Nineties.
The announcement comes a month before the Italian General Election, which is due to be held on April 9-10. Mr Berlusconi has accused prosecutors of conducting a politically motivated battle against him.
Mr Mills, who recently announced his split from his wife, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, has faced increasing controversy in Britain over the affair.
Last week, Ms Jowell was cleared of breaching the ministerial code of conduct over the £344,000, which she said her husband had not told her about.
Mr Mills had also said that the payment came from another client and not from Mr Berlusconi, as alleged.
A judge will now decide if the case will go to full trial, with an initial hearing possible in May.
Under Italian law, the case will have to go to trial within two years.
(KMcA/GB)
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