Berlusconi trades insults on ‘vile’ TV talk show

A FURIOUS Silvio Berlusconi has called in to a TV talk show about the prostitution investigation that has targeted him, shouting, trading insults with the host and calling the programme a “brothel”.

The outburst stirred strong reactions yesterday as the Italian premier’s supporters said Berlusconi had a right to defend himself, while his critics called the comments a display of aggression by an increasingly desperate man.

Berlusconi is not new to calling live TV shows to complain about coverage or vent frustration. But his latest comments night were harsher than usual.

“I’ve been watching a disgusting show, conducted in a despicable, vile and repugnant way,” Berlusconi said.

The talk show host, well-known left-leaning journalist Gad Lerner, invited Berlusconi to tone down his comments and at one point called him a “lout” when Berlusconi made a swipe against the female guests on the show.

“Why don’t you go before the magistrates instead of insulting people?” Lerner asked the premier.

Berlusconi has refused to heed a summons by Milan prosecutors, who have placed him under investigation on suspicion he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl and used his office to cover it up.

The 74-year-old premier has denied wrongdoing, saying he never paid for sex. He has insisted — as he has in the face of previous legal woes — that he is the victim of politically driven magistrates who want to oust him from power.

“The reality that has been represented here is the opposite of the truth and I feel insulted,” Berlusconi said during the show.

The premier then urged a political ally in the studio to leave this “incredible TV brothel”.