I never paid for sex, says Berlusconi

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi today publicly denied ever paying women for sex, as he continues to struggle with a growing scandal over his links to young models and starlets.

Mr Berlusconi gave his first direct response to the claims in an interview with gossip magazine Chi. Previously, he had simply dismissed as "garbage" and a smear campaign reports that an acquaintance of his had paid at least three women to attend parties at his residences.