'Second underage girl' named in Berlusconi sex case Published duration 27 January 2011

image copyright AFP image caption Mr Berlusconi said he had nothing to be ashamed of

A second 17-year-old girl has been named as taking part in what prosecutors allege were sex parties held by the Italian prime minister.

The girl, named as Iris Berardi, was known to police as a prostitute, Italian reports say, and attended one of the events days before turning 18.

The details have emerged from new documents submitted by prosecutors on Wednesday to a parliamentary committee.

Mr Berlusconi says the allegations against him are politically motivated.

Using the services of prostitutes is not a crime in Italy, but paying a prostitute aged under 18 is an offence.

Ms Berardi's presence at Mr Berlusconi's villas in Sardinia and Milan has been proven by mobile phone records, Italian media report.

According to Ansa, Ms Berardi attended a party at Porto Rotondo, in Sardinia, on 21 November 2009 - just a few days before her 18th birthday. She also attended a party at his villa at Arcore, near Milan, in December the same year.

Ten days ago, prosecutors submitted a 389-page document, in which they said they had proof of payments made by the billionaire leader to prostitutes. The latest document runs to 227 pages.

The embattled 74-year-old has refused to attend questioning on the matter and has vowed to punish the magistrates who, he insists, are pursuing a political vendetta against him.

Much of the first dossier focuses on Karima El Mahroug, an 18-year-old Moroccan belly-dancer who attended Mr Berlusconi's parties when she was 17 and, prosecutors say, was paid to have sex with him.