Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was “feckless, vain, and ineffective as a modern European leader”, according to Elizabeth Dibble, US charge d’affaires in Rome. Another report from Rome recorded the view that he was a “physically and politically weak” leader whose “frequent late nights and penchant for partying hard mean he does not get sufficient rest”.

Especially the bit about partying hard.

OK so he may not like the bit about being physically weak or being feckless or ineffective but I’m sure he can turn it round in his favour.

And I’m not sure it will get that much press here. A bit like the scandal concerning D&G which barely gets a mention here.

It’s a strange country, Italy, for sure.