Italian minister 'bought fake watch'

What will Mr Frattini do at customs?

The Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, is at the centre of a political row after reportedly buying a fake luxury watch in Beijing.

He is said to have made the purchase shortly before he met Chinese officials to ask them to take action against pirated goods.

Mr Frattini was in Beijing to take part in the annual EU-China summit.

His alleged actions have been criticised by some newspapers and opposition politicians in Italy.

But the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, was quoted by the Italian press as saying it seemed logical that a minister charged with speaking about the fight against pirated goods should have have proof of their existence by wearing a Cartier watch that cost 20 euros.

La Repubblica newspaper was not amused, describing the affair as "a big problem."

"What's just about the worst thing a minister could do while in China to sign an agreement on trade piracy on behalf of the European Union?" the paper asked.

"Why, nip out just before the official meeting to pick up a fake Rolex - just for a joke, of course," the paper said, going on to accuse Mr Frattini of behaving "just like a vulgar tourist."

Sandro Battisti, a senator and member of the centre-left opposition party Margherita, said: "One wonders what Mr Frattini is going to do when he goes through customs on arrival back home."