Explosion hits Italian right-wing party

The blast caused damage but no casualties

A powerful explosion has damaged the headquarters of the right-wing Northern League in the Italian town of Vigonza.

No-one was injured, but Northern League officials say the strength of the blast suggests it was caused by a bomb.

The explosion in the north-eastern town comes two weeks after a bomb damaged a court building in nearby Venice, shortly before a visit by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Bossi: Outspoken leader is now a government minister

The Northern League, headed by Umberto Bossi, is a junior partner in Italy's right-wing government. Its policies have included opposition to immigration and devolution for part of northern Italy.

Mr Bossi is now regional affairs minister in Mr Berlusconi's government.

The explosion, which was heard over a wide area, has made the building unstable.

"The device exploded outside the building, destroying the office. The door was blown off and there is extensive damage inside," Northern League secretary Gianpaolo Gobbo told Reuters news agency.

Genoa tensions

Political tensions have remained high in Italy since the rioting at July's G8 summit in Genoa.

A number of politicians, including Mr Berlusconi, have received bullets in the post.

The motive for the Venice attack is still unclear.