Tim Worstall

November 25, 2009

For those not quite keeping up with Italian politics there is an interesting little scandal involving an escort and the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.

Patrizia D’Addario, 42, claims that she spent a “night of passion” with Berlusconi a year or so ago. She’s released recordings, not of the tryst itself but of the foreplay if you wish, which she made on her cell phone. She also claims not to have done it for money but for help with planning permission, help which never came. While there’s been a great deal of interest in this story it’s not exactly the most breath taking revelation ever in Italian politics. To paraphrase Michael Bloomberg, what else does anyone think an Italian billionaire would be doing?

Now D’Addario has published a book with that night as the centerpiece of the story:

Miss D’Addario was taken aback by the prime minister’s stamina, given that he has had prostate cancer.

“He didn’t appear a bit tired, he kissed me again and again and again,” she claimed.

A 74 year old Italian male, one who has had prostate cancer, is still a tiger in bed? This is politically damaging in what manner?