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Berlusconi apologises to his wife | Berlusconi apologises to his wife |
(1 day later) | |
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has said sorry to his wife for flirting with other women after she demanded a public apology. | Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has said sorry to his wife for flirting with other women after she demanded a public apology. |
Mr Berlusconi issued a written statement, referring to the constant pressure he was under from work, trips, politics and problems. | Mr Berlusconi issued a written statement, referring to the constant pressure he was under from work, trips, politics and problems. |
Veronica Berlusconi, his second wife, said his flirting damaged her dignity. | Veronica Berlusconi, his second wife, said his flirting damaged her dignity. |
She had demanded the apology in a front-page letter to the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica. | She had demanded the apology in a front-page letter to the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica. |
In the statement, issued via his Forza Italia party, Mr Berlusconi said: "Forgive me, I beg you. And take this public show of my private pride giving in to your fury as an act of love. One of many." | In the statement, issued via his Forza Italia party, Mr Berlusconi said: "Forgive me, I beg you. And take this public show of my private pride giving in to your fury as an act of love. One of many." |
"I guard your dignity, like a treasure within my heart, even when careless comments slip off my tongue," said Mr Berlusconi, 70. | "I guard your dignity, like a treasure within my heart, even when careless comments slip off my tongue," said Mr Berlusconi, 70. |
Flirtatious comments | Flirtatious comments |
Veronica Berlusconi is mother of three of Mr Berlusconi's children. | Veronica Berlusconi is mother of three of Mr Berlusconi's children. |
I guard your dignity, like a treasure within my heart, even when careless comments slip off my tongue Silvio Berlusconi class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5424&edition=2">Does your partner flirt? | |
She said her husband had told some women at a TV awards dinner: "If I wasn't already married I would marry you right away". | She said her husband had told some women at a TV awards dinner: "If I wasn't already married I would marry you right away". |
Mr Berlusconi was quoted as telling another woman: "With you I'd go anywhere". | Mr Berlusconi was quoted as telling another woman: "With you I'd go anywhere". |
Commentators say the fact she chose for her complaint a prominent left-wing publication - traditionally critical of Mr Berlusconi - would have added to her husband's embarrassment. | Commentators say the fact she chose for her complaint a prominent left-wing publication - traditionally critical of Mr Berlusconi - would have added to her husband's embarrassment. |
"Today for my female children, already adults, the example of a woman defending her own dignity in her relationships with men takes on a particularly significant importance," she said. | "Today for my female children, already adults, the example of a woman defending her own dignity in her relationships with men takes on a particularly significant importance," she said. |
Confronting her husband over his behaviour would also remind her son Luigi "to never forget to keep among his fundamental values respect for women," she added. | Confronting her husband over his behaviour would also remind her son Luigi "to never forget to keep among his fundamental values respect for women," she added. |