Neocon Mafioso Berlusconi could lose immunity from prosecution

A law giving Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution as Italy's prime minister could be repealed after a petition of one million signatures was collected by the opposition.

Mr Berlusconi has been dogged by court cases for most of his political career but on coming to power for a third time last year he forced through the controversial law, which guarantees immunity to Italy's four most senior office holders, including the prime minister and president.

The legislation suspends two corruption trials against the self-made billionaire, including one involving British tax lawyer David Mills, the estranged husband of Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, who denies the allegations.

The petition was presented to Italy's highest court by the country's second biggest opposition party, Italy of Values, led by the former crusading anti-corruption magistrate Antonio Di Pietro.

It contains twice as many signatures as are needed under Italian law to force a referendum on the issue.

"The law is unconstitutional because it introduces a double standard establishing that the four highest state officials can't be tried even if they kill their mothers," Mr Di Pietro said as he arrived at the court in a van carrying boxes of signatures. More