"Terrible" things said

Defamation: Meloni’s ex sues journalists

Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni drew a line under their relationship after the salacious comments came to light.(Bild: AFP)

Andrea Giambruno, the former partner of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has sued around 20 journalists for defamation. "They said terrible things about him as a father, partner and husband," said Giambruno's lawyer Annamaria Bernardini de Pace.

TV journalist Giambruno came under fire last October for sexist comments. A satirical show broadcast by private TV station Canale 5 published audio recordings of Giambruno's everyday editorial work from a talk show.

The conversations had been recorded in secret. You can hear Giambruno making raunchy and sexist remarks to female colleagues.

Andrea Giambruno has a daughter with Meloni. Ginevra is seven years old.(Bild: AFP)

Meloni drew a line under the accusations
Head of government Meloni then announced her separation from the TV journalist, who is the father of her seven-year-old daughter Ginevra. "My relationship with Andrea Giambruno, which lasted almost ten years, has come to an end. We parted ways some time ago and now is the time to act," wrote the 47-year-old Prime Minister at the time.

We parted ways a while ago, and now is the time to act.

Giorgia Meloni

"It was just a joke!"
 According to the lawyer, Giambruno was joking with his colleagues. "No woman complained or felt offended, it was all just a joke," the lawyer emphasized. She expressed the hope that Giambruno and Meloni would reconcile: "I sincerely hope so, because he is very much in love with her."