Silvio Berlusconi breaks habit of lifetime

Controversial Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi broke the habit of a lifetime today and appeared in court on tax fraud charges - as it emerged he had declared an £35 million salary. Berlusconi, 74, is currently facing four trials - including one for having under age sex with a prostitute and abuse of office - and was his usual buoyant self as he showed up waving to a crowd of about 100 supporters.

In a TV interview before the case started he once again blamed left-leaning prosecutors who he said were out to topple him and labelled the charges 'ridiculous' adding that 'Communists were still an influence', Daily Mail informs.

Mr. Berlusconi is already a defendant in two ongoing trials and is also set to stand trial starting April 6 on charges of having sex with an underage girl and of using his position to try and cover up the alleged crime.

He has denied all charges and has accused prosecutors of conspiring against him.

Mr. Berlusconi has said he wants to attend the court hearings in order to defend himself in front of the Italian people, Wall Street Journal reports.