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Beppe Grillo sparks controversy with image of blacked-up politician Beppe Grillo sparks controversy with image of blacked-up politician
(about 2 hours later)
Beppe Grillo, the former comedian and figurehead of Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), has sparked controversy by posting a blacked-up picture of a government minister on his blog , a day after implying Italy's immigration policy could be "re-importing" tuberculosis.Beppe Grillo, the former comedian and figurehead of Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), has sparked controversy by posting a blacked-up picture of a government minister on his blog , a day after implying Italy's immigration policy could be "re-importing" tuberculosis.
Grillo, whose vigorous movement of political neophytes and rebels against the old-guard broke through dramatically at last year's general election, has been a vocal critic of the Italian government's €9m-a-month search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean.Grillo, whose vigorous movement of political neophytes and rebels against the old-guard broke through dramatically at last year's general election, has been a vocal critic of the Italian government's €9m-a-month search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean.
But the tone of his criticism has become markedly more virulent this week, with claims about public health risks quickly followed by the image, posted on Wednesday afternoon, of interior minister Angelino Alfano with a black face.But the tone of his criticism has become markedly more virulent this week, with claims about public health risks quickly followed by the image, posted on Wednesday afternoon, of interior minister Angelino Alfano with a black face.
A centre-left MP from the Democratic Party (PD) slammed the self-declared "megaphone" of the M5S for perpetuating "dangerous propaganda". "Beppe Grillo is showing himself to be a leader of the far-right who tries to win approval off the back of fear and xenophobia," Khalid Chaouki told the Guardian.A centre-left MP from the Democratic Party (PD) slammed the self-declared "megaphone" of the M5S for perpetuating "dangerous propaganda". "Beppe Grillo is showing himself to be a leader of the far-right who tries to win approval off the back of fear and xenophobia," Khalid Chaouki told the Guardian.
The picture of Alfano, who is the centre-right minister responsible for Mare Nostrum and a future EU-backed border patrol dubbed Frontex Plus, was accompanied by a blog in which Grillo called for the European Union's Dublin Regulation to be ended.The picture of Alfano, who is the centre-right minister responsible for Mare Nostrum and a future EU-backed border patrol dubbed Frontex Plus, was accompanied by a blog in which Grillo called for the European Union's Dublin Regulation to be ended.
The EU rule means that migrants must apply for asylum in the country which they first entered even if – as is very often the case with Italy – they have no desire to stay there. The EU rule means that countries in which asylum seekers first arrive should process their application even if – as is very often the case with Italy – they have no desire to stay there.
Grillo also criticised Alfano for not acting over a health scare in which police union Consap said around 40 police officers were being treated for suspected tuberculosis after working with migrants arriving by sea. On Tuesday he posted a blog accusing "chic radicals and the left" of failing to act adequately.Grillo also criticised Alfano for not acting over a health scare in which police union Consap said around 40 police officers were being treated for suspected tuberculosis after working with migrants arriving by sea. On Tuesday he posted a blog accusing "chic radicals and the left" of failing to act adequately.
"Here, in order to avoid the taboo of racism, we find ourselves in the grotesque situation where African states close the borders between themselves for fear of spreading Ebola… whereas we leave them wide open without doing any medical checks on who is arriving in our country from who-knows-where.""Here, in order to avoid the taboo of racism, we find ourselves in the grotesque situation where African states close the borders between themselves for fear of spreading Ebola… whereas we leave them wide open without doing any medical checks on who is arriving in our country from who-knows-where."
The remarks prompted criticism from many on the left, including former integration minister Cécile Kyenge, who accused Grillo of irresponsibility.The remarks prompted criticism from many on the left, including former integration minister Cécile Kyenge, who accused Grillo of irresponsibility.
"Linking refugees to infectious diseases is reminiscent of the worst pages of European history," said Chaouki. "This is dangerous propaganda for the future of coexistence in our country.""Linking refugees to infectious diseases is reminiscent of the worst pages of European history," said Chaouki. "This is dangerous propaganda for the future of coexistence in our country."
Responding to the concerns over TB on Wednesday, defence minister Roberta Pinotti denied there was a problem in connection with Mare Nostrum. Speaking before the joint foreign and defence parliamentary commissions, she said that "all the checks performed have shown that there is not even one case", public broadcaster Rai reported.Responding to the concerns over TB on Wednesday, defence minister Roberta Pinotti denied there was a problem in connection with Mare Nostrum. Speaking before the joint foreign and defence parliamentary commissions, she said that "all the checks performed have shown that there is not even one case", public broadcaster Rai reported.