Catholic MP found with two prostitutes
Pastor Dale Morgan
Catholic MP found with two prostitutes*
By Malcolm Moore in Rome
Last Updated: 2:02am BST 01/08/2007
An Italian politician whose party represents Catholic values has been
embroiled in a scandal involving two prostitutes, a hotel room and a
large amount of cocaine.
Cosimo Mele, 50, a Christian Democrat UDC MP, was caught out when he had
to call an ambulance to the hotel in Rome after one of the girls
suffered breathing problems.
The property entrepreneur, whose wife is pregnant with their fourth
child, has now resigned from his party.
The scandal's timing is sensitive since the UDC party has been calling
for all MPs to take voluntary drugs tests.
Mr Mele said: "I did nothing other than go to dinner with a friend who
introduced me to this girl. Since it was late, she came to bed with me.
How many politicians go to bed with young girls?"
He said he had nothing to do with the other girl who had "taken drugs or
something else". She felt ill and he had called reception.
He added: "So politicians in the UDC do not make love? Of course I
recognise Catholic values. But what has that got to do with going with a
prostitute? It is a personal matter.
"This affair has nothing to do with family values. I cannot be branded a
bad father and a bad husband simply because after five or six days away
from home an occasion presented itself."