Berlusconi under fire as court scraps immunity law

DEFIANT Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been dealt another blow after the country’s constitutional court threw out an immunity law passed by his government which could protect him from tax evasion and bribing charges.

Last night, however, the 73-year-old premier depicted it as a politically motivated ruling.

“The Constitutional Court is a political organ, but we’ll carry on. The trials against me are a farce... Viva Italia and Viva Berlusconi!” he said with a clenched fist, adding that the court, the head of state and the media all favoured the left.

As the judges deliberated, Mr Berlusconi’s ally, Northern League leader Umberto Bossi warned them not to “defy the anger of the people [of Italy]” and vowed, if the law were rejected: “We will enter into action, bringing out the people.”

Last night, a spokesman for Mr Berlusconi said the verdict was “politically motivated” and insisted he would not resign.

“Berlusconi, the government and the majority will continue to govern,” said spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti.

Berlusconi has long claimed he is the victim of a plot by left-wing judges and prosecutors. The immunity bill was drawn up allegedly to protect him.

A trial in Milan, in which Berlusconi is charged with tax evasion, was suspended last year after parliament approved the immunity law. It will now resume.