from www.metro.co.uk – Silvio Berlusconi has been named in a US report on people trafficking as a result of his infamous ‘bunga bunga’ parties, it has emerged.

Mr Berlusconi is accused of having underage sex with dancer Karima El Mahroug at one of the parties he hosted at his villa when she was 17.

The 75-year-old has now been named in the US state department’s trafficking in persons 2011 report, which mentions the parties and describes how one of the guests was underage.

The document, headed by secretary of state Hillary Clinton, details the ‘commercial sexual exploitation of a Moroccan child’ with ‘evidence of third party involvement in the case, indicating the girl was a victim of trafficking’. It adds that the politician was investigated for ‘facilitating child prostitution’.

Opposition MPs called the report ‘another shameful insult’ for Italy.
Leoluca Orlando, of the anti-sleaze Italy of Values party, said: ‘This is an indecent calling card for Italy on the international stage because he is the only prime minister who is actually named as well.’

Mr Berlusconi’s trial for underage prostitution is due to resume next month, when he will also face charges of abuse of office. Three of his closest friends have been charged with procuring prostitutes.