Clooney called to Berlusconi trial

Lawyers for Silvio Berlusconi want to call George Clooney as a witness

Silvio Berlusconi’s defence lawyers want George Clooney and his Italian girlfriend to testify at the premier’s forthcoming prostitution trial.

Mr Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl and using his influence to try to cover it up. He denies any wrongdoing.

The trial opens on April 6 in Milan. On Tuesday, prosecutors and defence lawyers presented their lists of witnesses to the court. A judge must now decide which witnesses to admit.

The law firm representing Mr Berlusconi said Clooney was listed because the Moroccan teenager once said she had seen the US film star and girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis at one of the Italian prime minister’s parties.

Ms Canalis has reportedly denied attending.

An email sent to Clooney’s representative was not immediately answered.