Paid sex reports add to Berlusconi’s woes

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.

The 72-year-old prime minister is already being forced to counter talk that his 15-year-old domination of Italian politics could be brought to an end by the sex scandals besetting him since May, which have angered the powerful Catholic Church.

A cabinet source said there was no comment on the reports yesterday in Corriere della Sera and La Stampa – two respected Italian dailies – suggesting Berlusconi indulged his taste for young women on a larger scale than hitherto suspected.