More explicit tapes of 'Berlusconi and prostitute' released

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was accused of damaging his government’s image today as a magazine released another explicit recording of what appears to be him talking to a prostitute.

In a motion before the Senate, the opposition called on politicians to show “decorum” in their private lives and be cautious in their acquaintances – the latest fallout from the scandal surrounding Mr Berlusconi’s alleged encounters with young women.

Yesterday the Italian magazine L’Espresso released recordings of what it said was the night Mr Berlusconi spent with the escort. It produced further recordings today including what appears to be an explicit conversation between the two.

The premier’s lawyer has disputed the validity of the tapes, saying they were “the fruit of invention.”

The motion presented by the centre-left Democratic Party said the scandal “has objectively weakened the image and authority of the Italian government.”

It urges members of the government – a conservative Cabinet whose members often defend family values – to be consistent in their private life and in their public speech.

The 72-year-old Mr Berlusconi has denied he ever paid anyone for sex, and has called the allegations “trash” meant to smear him. Polls show the months-long scandal has hardly dented his popularity – a sign of his remarkable resilience and Italians’ indifference to the sexual foibles of the political class.

The escort at the centre of the scandal, Patrizia D’Addario, said she taped her encounters with Mr Berlusconi, as well as the parties he threw for young women at his residences.

In one of the recordings released yesterday, a voice said to be Mr Berlusconi’s is heard telling D’Addario that he was going to take a shower.

“I’m going to take a shower as well ... and then will you wait for me in the big bed if you finish first?”

D’Addario said the encounter took place on November 4 at Mr Berlusconi’s Rome home – and that he skipped a party for the US election to spend the night with her.

The woman, who had arrived in Rome from the southern Italian city where she is based, says she spent the night with Mr Berlusconi, returning in the morning to a hotel in the capital where she was staying.

The tapes also feature an alleged phone call between Mr Berlusconi and D’Addario on the morning of November 5 in which the premier marvels at how he was able to get through a speech on such little sleep.

In one of the new recordings he and D’Addario are heard allegedly talking over breakfast. They appear to be teasing each other about their alleged sexual escapades the night before.

In the recording Mr Berlusconi is also heard asking the woman what her last name is, and then saying it himself, “D’Addario”. He has said in the past that he does not recognise D’Addario’s name or face, noting that he meets many people every day.

The recording was posted on the magazine’s website.