Prosecutors in Milan have asked for criminal charges to be filed against the former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, for attempting to bribe judges.

Mr Berlusconi is alleged to have tried to influence the judges by paying them large sums of money to fix the verdicts in cases involving his business interests.

He is denying the accusations, which also involve his former lawyer, Cesare Previti.

An investigating magistrate will now have to decide whether Mr Berlusconi should be sent for trial.

The latest legal blow for the media mogul and former Prime Minister involves a case of alleged bribery dating back eight years ago.

Mr Berlusconi has already been found guilty of false accounting by a Milan court earlier this month in separate cases. He is also currently on trial for tax fraud and illegal contributions to political party funds.

Mr Berlusconi insists he is the innocent victim of a political vendetta by the Milan judiciary.

He tried to brush off the latest accusations as what he called "an affectionate Christmas present from the Milan prosecutors".

He said his conscience is clear and that his political enemies are trying to discredit and destroy him as leader of the opposition in the Italian parliament.

Antonio Martino, an economist who was Foreign Minister in Mr Berlusconi's coalition three years ago, acknowledged the charges are very grave and if proven would mean the end of Mr Berlusconi's political career.

However before the case comes to trial, a judge has to confirm the evidence is sufficient to indict Mr Berlusconi then parliament has to wave the immunity from trial that every Italian MP enjoys, except in the case of the gravest crimes.

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