Berlusconi passes flirty notes in parliament

Silvio Berlusconi has already attracted the wrath of his wife for announcing he would happily marry one of his cabinet ministers, the beautiful Mara Carfagna (for which indiscretion he was forced to write her a public apology). Now he faces another grilling. On Wednesday the 71-year-old Italian prime minister was caught passing a highly flirtatious note to two of the Italian parliament's more attractive newcomers.

The focus of his attention were dark-haired Nunzia De Girolamo (pictured) 32, and blonde Gabriella Giammanco, 31, who were sitting together in the chamber. All would have been well, but for the fact it was captured by the television cameras, including the contents of the note, which read: "Gabri, Nunzia, you look very good sitting there together. Thank you for sticking around [to listen to the speech] but it is not necessary. If you have any gallants who have invited you to lunch, I authorise you to go [underlined three times]. Many kisses both of you!!! Your Prime Minister."

The note, far from attracting horror, delighted the two women, who quickly drafted a reply. "Our dear Prime Minister, we can only accept gallant invitations from you!" it said. Berlusconi was delighted. Later, when she learnt it had all been caught on camera, Ms Giammanco assured reporters: "He was not trying it on at all," she said. "He is very genteel, well-educated and expresses his kindness to everyone, man or woman." Let's hope his wife, Veronica Lario, sees it that way.