Italy: Berlusconi backs down from confidence vote

The Italian government has survived a vote of confidence despite a threat by the former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to bring it down.

Mr Berlusconi was forced into an abrupt change of plan after some of his own party colleagues rejected his demands and supported the government.

The episode has raised further questions about Mr Berlusconi's future in Italian politics.

Gavin Hewitt reports.