Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's daughter has said she was amazed by the attention her father lavished on a teenage model, in a rare criticism of the scandal-hit leader by one of his children.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's daughter has said she was amazed by the attention her father lavished on a teenage model, in a rare criticism of the scandal-hit leader by one of his children.
Barbara Berlusconi (25) also told Vanity Fair that politicians ought to uphold the values they preach publicly in their private lives in contrast to Berlusconi's allies who say his personal life has no bearing on his public role.
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Papa Don't Preach: Silvio Berlusconi with daughter Barbara. |
Berlusconi (72) has denied an improper relationship with Noemi Letizia after showing up at her 18th birthday party with a 6,000-euro (Rs 4 lakh) necklace, prompting his wife Veronica to seek a divorce over his womanising.
When asked what she thought of the attentions her father had shown toward Letizia, Barbara said, "I was shocked. It's something that has never been part of my life.
I have never frequented elderly men. I have no experience of such psychological ties," she told the magazine.
Since the Letizia scandal, Berlusconi has also been fending off accusations of cavorting with escorts who were paid to attend his parties.
"Political representativesu00a0 make society prosper, are also held to safeguard the values they express, possibly raise them.
So I don't believe a politician can allow a distinction between his public and private life," Barbara added.
