Prosecutors say an Italian businessman recruited about 30 girls to attend parties at Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s homes, selecting them for their looks and age and paying some of them to have sex with the Italian leader.

Brushing off questions about any possible resignation, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi insisted yesterday that he’s been Italy’s best premier ever and said he was considering suing the woman at the centre of his sex scandal.

Italy’s premier Silvio Berlusconi today attempted to dismiss the continuing sex scandal surrounding him by insisting he never paid for sex because that would remove the “joy”.

REPORTS that 30 women attended 18 parties hosted by Silvio Berlusconi and some were paid to have sex with guests have added to the Italian leader’s problems at a time of speculation that his grip on power may be weakening.