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Berlusconi apologises to his wife Berlusconi apologises to his wife
(20 minutes 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 Lario, his second wife, said his flirting had 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."
"Your dignity has nothing to do with it, I treasure it as a precious good in my heart, even when I make carefree jokes," said Mr Berlusconi, 70."Your dignity has nothing to do with it, I treasure it as a precious good in my heart, even when I make carefree jokes," said Mr Berlusconi, 70.
Flirtatious commentsFlirtatious comments
Veronica Lario is Mr Berlusconi's second wife and mother of three of his children. Veronica Berlusconi is mother of three of Mr Berlusconi's children.
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 forgot 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 forgot to keep among his fundamental values respect for women," she added.