Berlusconi investigated for 'power abuse'

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been placed under formal investigation for abuse of power as part of a probe into misuse of state flights.

Prosecutors began an inquiry after photographs emerged showing guests of Mr Berlusconi - including singing companion Mariano Apicella - leaving an official government plane.

It is the latest scandal to engulf the perma-tanned media tycoon, who is under pressure to explain the nature of his relationship with Noemi Letizia, 18, after it emerged he attended her birthday party and gave her a �6,000 gold and diamond necklace.

This week Mr Berlusconi, 72, successfully applied to Italy's privacy commission for the seizure of 700 photographs said to show young women at his Sardinian villa.

It later emerged that among these were photographs showing passengers leaving state planes on what appeared to be personal flights. The prosecutors, who have 15 days to make their case, moved in after calls for an official probe into possible misuse.

The flight with singer Apicella, who has made several CDs with former cruise ship crooner Berlusconi, was said to have taken place last May.

An investigation by Italian news weekly L'Espresso out today found state planes have been used three times more since Mr Berlusconi came to power last year, with 370 hours in one month. The prime minister appeared on Italian TV last night before news of the official probe broke, and when asked about the flights said he was "perfectly happy because all the rules had been followed".

He said he "would not hesitate to go to another party" if he had promised because "I always keep my promises".

He added: "All this stuff about me has been invented. In the end everyone will see that there is nothing spicy about this."