Berlusconi aide denies alliance with the Mafia

A close aide to Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, heaped scorn on allegations made in court by a Mafia supergrass that an alliance existed between the Mafia and Mr Berlusconi's party, Forza Italia.

Marcello Dell'Utri, who is on trial in Sicily charged with aiding the Mafia, said: "The history of Forza Italia is all against Cosa Nostra." He said of Antonino Giuffrè, the informer: "If he is number two in Cosa Nostra, then I'm the Pope."

Mr Giuffrè told the court on Monday that, after the meltdown of support for Christian Democrats in 1992, the Mafia switched support to Forza Italia (FI). He said Mr Dell'Utri "showed a particular interest in these issues". He said a Mafia boss, Stefano Bontade, met Mr Berlusconi at the latter's villa outside Milan. Mr Giuffrè's account could help explain whyFI holds all the Sicilian seats in parliament. Mr Berlusconi has been dogged by claims he benefited from Mafia support.