Italian minister in Fascist salute row

Italy’s tourism minister is entangled in controversy after a video surfaced that apparently shows the woman giving the Fascist salute.

Some opposition members today called for the resignation of Michela Vittoria Brambilla, a former beauty queen and close ally of Premier Silvio Berlusconi who was recently installed as tourism minister.

Ms Brambilla says she is “astounded” at the accusations. She says she has “never either done or thought of doing any gesture that is an apology of Fascism”.

The video was posted on the website of the left-leaning newspaper La Repubblica.

It shows Ms Brambilla listening to Italy’s national anthem, other dignitaries next to her, with her right arm folded on her heart.

As the anthem ends, she raises the arm in what appears a stiff salute.