Assassination prompts fresh row in Rome

The opposition wants Berlusconi to come before parliament

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has sparked fresh controversy in Italy after refusing to accept the resignation of a minister who allegedly called an assassinated government aide a "pain in the arse".

Scajola has come under pressure to resign before

Interior Minister Claudio Scajola offered to resign after heavy criticism from the opposition and members of the cabinet for how he handled the investigation into the murder of economics consultant Marco Biagi.

The pressure intensified at the weekend when Mr Scajola was reported to have said that Mr Biagi "was a pain in the arse who wanted his consultancy contract to be renewed".

Mr Biagi, who was shot dead outside his home in March by ultra-left extremists, is reported to have written frequent letters to the Interior Ministry asking for the reinstatement of a police escort.

Apology sought

Mr Scajola, who is responsible for Italy's police, had lifted the escort last July. He has said that blaming a lack of police presence for a terrorist attack is not a logical response to Mr Biagi's killing.

But on Sunday he said he would step down from the post, an offer instantly turned down by Mr Berlusconi.

We want more concrete results from the investigation into terrorism, in order that there are no new victims

Labour Minister
Roberto Maroni

"I rightly rejected it and invited the minister to stay in the post with renewed commitment, confirming my faith in him and that of the government," the prime minister said.

Both the opposition and members of the government have demanded Mr Scajola apologise to Mr Biagi's family.

They also want to see progress in the murder inquiry.

"We want more concrete results from the investigation into terrorism, in order that there are no new victims," said Labour Minister Roberto Maroni.

Biagi had asked for police protection

Red Brigades militants say they killed Mr Biagi for his role in drawing up controversial labour reforms to make it easier to hire and fire workers.

The centre-left opposition wants Mr Berlusconi to come to parliament and explain why he did not accept the resignation.

It is not the first time Mr Scajola has come under pressure to resign, or the first time Mr Berlusconi has sided with a minister after controversial statements.

The interior minister came under fire for the policing of the riots at the G8 Genoa summit last year, in which there were widespread allegations of police brutality.