Mills conviction upheld

An Italian court yesterday upheld a conviction against British lawyer David Mills for accepting a bribe from Silvio Berlusconi in 1997, in a ruling likely to weaken the Italian Prime Minister's defence in the case.

Mr Berlusconi had secured immunity in this and other trials against him under a law passed by his government, but Italy's top court this month ruled that his temporary protection from prosecution while he held office violated the Constitution.

That means that the portion of the Mills trial involving Mr Berlusconi, which was put on hold when the law granting him immunity came into force, can now go ahead.

Mr Berlusconi has been charged with paying Mr Mills the $600,000 bribe from alleged "secret funds" held by his Mediaset television empire to withhold incriminating details about the tycoon-turned-politician.

Mr Berlusconi maintains that the Milan judges trying his cases are leftists who are politically motivated and has vowed to stay on as Prime Minister.