The Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has faced new demands to explain his relationship with the teenage model Noemi Letizia, as fresh allegations emerged about their friendship. Mr Berlusconi's friendship with Miss Letizia has been in the spotlight for a month after it emerged that he had paid a visit to her 18th birthday party and gave her a gold and diamond necklace.
When news of the friendship emerged, his wife, Veronica Lario, 52, announced that she was leaving him because he "spends too much time with minors" and because he was "not well".
