Letters From A Tory Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others.

“We will never know if the (future) decision of the constitutional court was the fruit of a total independent evaluation or was rather the fruit of a carbonara dinner.”

- Antonio Di Pietro, a former anti-corruption prosecutor and the head of the Italy of Values opposition party, speaking after it emerged that Silvio Berlusconi had dinner with a judge who will rule on whether the law that gives the prime minister immunity from criminal prosecution should be allowed.  Mr Berlusconi pushed the controversial law through parliament shortly after being elected prime minister for a third time in general elections last year. It guarantees immunity from prosecution for Italy’s four most senior office holders while they are in power — himself as prime minister, the Italian president and the speakers of both parliamentary chambers.  It has now emerged that Mr Berlusconi was entertained to dinner at the home of a constitutional court judge, Luigi Mazzella, last month. The court is deliberating the legality of the law and is expected to deliver its decision in the autumn. Also at the dinner was a colleague of Mr Mazzella, Paolo Maria Napolitano, as well as the Justice Minister Angelino Alfano, who pushed the bill through parliament. Mr Di Pietro has demanded the resignation of both judges and the justice minister.