Silvio Berlusconi 'I did not apologise'
'Yesterday I made no apology,' the Italian Prime Minister told a news conference in Rome after talks with EU Commissioners.
He said he had told Chancellor Schroeder by telephone he had 'strongly underlined that I had been offended' by MEP Martin Schulz.
The parliamentarian had raised questions on Wednesday about the Italian media magnate's ongoing conflicts of influence.
Mr Berlusconi sparked political uproar and a serious diplomatic spat between Rome and Berlin when he retorted by telling Schulz he would make a good Nazi concentration camp guard in a film.
Last night the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, accepted what was understood to be an apology from Mr Berlusconi.
But Socialist members of the European Parliament are now accusing the Italian leader of insulting the parliament by describing MEPs as democratic tourists.
Some members threatened to break off relations with the EU Presidency, currently chaired by Italy, as a result of the row.
