Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has blamed “feminist, communist” judges for a €200,000-a-day divorce settlement following the break up of his second marriage.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is due to make a rare court appearance to defend himself against a tax fraud charge.

Silvio Berlusconi’s defence lawyers have named Hollywood star George Clooney, the Italian foreign minister and a bevy of showgirls as witnesses at the premier’s upcoming prostitution trial.