A model who was caught up in the scandal of Silvio Berlusconi’s notorious “bunga bunga” parties has died, allegedly of poisoning.

Moroccan-born Imane Fidal was a key witness in a trial in which the former prime minister is accused of bribing actresses, models and escorts to lie in court about the alleged sex parties.

Italian judicial authorities have opened a murder investigation into the death, the details of which are murky.

Ms Fidal, 34, died two weeks ago in a hospital in Milan from chronic organ failure but the story only emerged on Friday.

She had reportedly been complaining of chronic stomach pains and told friends and family that she believed she had been poisoned, according to Francesco Greco, a prosecutor in the case.