Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi's top aide yesterday said he would not resign over a damaging scandal in which he was photographed talking to a transsexual sex worker.Silvio Sircana, promoted last month from being Prodi's personal
"What were you curious about, Silvio?"
"How much it cost."
But, despite criticism from the opposition, who are battling the government in a debate on family values, Sircana said he had Prodi's full support and would not resign. "Why should I have resigned? For a non story?" he told daily La Stampa. "You don't crucify someone for this type of foolishness. You don't pillory someone in the press for a small and stupid detour on a summer night."
The image, taken last September and sold to a magazine which did not print it, was published after Sircana said he wanted it to be made public to clear the air. The scandal comes as Prodi's government has backed a Bill fiercely opposed by conservatives and the Catholic Church that would give legal recognition to unmarried and gay couples.