Senator 'not surprised' by Berlusconi sentence

Senator Paolo Guzzanti has said he was "not so surprised" that former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was convicted and sentenced to jail by an Italian court, but that it was still "shocking news".

The Italian Liberal Party politician's comments came after Mr Berlusconi was handed a jail sentence and barred from office after being found guilty of tax fraud.

The Milan court sentenced him to four years but later cut it to one because of an amnesty law.

He and others were accused of buying US film rights at inflated prices via two offshore companies under his control.

It is the first time Mr Berlusconi - who has faced a number of trials - has been convicted of any crime concerning his business activities.