Prodi Fights to Save 'clean' Image After Anti-corruption Judge Quits

Romano Prodi's centre-left government was battling to defend its image yesterday as a "clean" alternative to Silvio Berlusconi and the right, after successive scandals that have besmirched its reputation.

A top government official charged with combating bureaucratic corruption resigned in protest at what he said were attempts by the government to undermine his work. His move followed the discovery of a clause in next year's budget that would mean tens of thousands of officials could not be punished for taking backhanders.

According to the daily newspaper La Stampa, about 100,000 public servants or representatives in Italy are either on trial or under investigation in connection with alleged criminal offences. The Italian left depends heavily on the votes of public sector employees.

Gianfranco Totazzi, a judge of Italy's highest appeals court, said that he was resigning "irrevocably" as head of the high commission for the prevention and combating of corruption. He was appointed by the Berlusconi government to lead the staff of 51.

Mr Totazzi told a press conference that after the centre-left took office in May he "asked for a meeting with the new prime minister, but was told that it was not possible at that time. I was a remnant of the old government". He said that the budget amendment was the latest of several initiatives aimed at neutralising the high commission. He had decided to resign to guarantee the organisation's survival.

As amended, the budget would have meant charges laid against public officials were "timed out" more quickly by a statute of limitations. The same device was used by the Berlusconi government to water down legislation against corrupt business practices.

Following an intervention by President Giorgio Napolitano, it seemed likely a decree would be passed to reverse the effects of the amendment. Representatives of the main centre-left parties were unable to explain how it got into the budget.

It was drafted by a senator from Calabria, where 24 of the 50 regional assembly members are under investigation or on trial. Mr Prodi's government is acutely vulnerable in the senate and managed to get the budget approved there only with the help of unelected life members.