Berlusconi lawyer Mills unwilling to attend Milan trial without warning

ENGLISH lawyer David Mills said he would travel to Italy to give evidence in a corruption case against former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi – but only if he knows what evidence is expected of him.

Mr Mills, who acted as Mr Berlusconi’s tax lawyer, said yesterday that he wanted to know what the Italian prosecutor would ask him.

Speaking via a video link in London to Mr Berlusconi’s hearing in Milan, he said: “There are certain circumstances in which I would be willing to go to Italy but I am not sure what evidence I would be expected to give. I would ask my counsel to clarify what those circumstances might be.”

Mr Mills and his wife Tessa Jowell, a former Labour cabinet minister, separated in 2006 when she admitted being unaware he had paid off part of their mortgage with £350,000 at the centre of an Italian bribery case against Mr Berlusconi.

Mr Mills was charged along with Mr Berlusconi with corruption in Milan and was convicted in his absence in February 2009. But he was acquitted by the Italian Supreme Court under Italy’s statute of limitations a year later.

Mr Berlusconi is facing a trial – previously suspended under a temporary immunity law – on bribery allegations involving Mr Mills. He denies wrongdoing and has complained that the charges are politically motivated.

Yesterday, Mr Mills’ barrister, James Lewis QC, applied for the hearing to be adjourned until the Italian prosecutor explains what evidence his client would be asked to give.

He said: “In our respectful submission this shouldn’t be an inquisition. It is not at an investigation stage of the proceedings but it is a trial. Mr Mills is to be treated as a witness and he must know what evidence the public prosecutor believes he will give to your court.”

The court will reconvene on 19 December.