Italy PM aide quits after AU prank-call fiasco

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that a diplomatic adviser had resigned following a prank call fiasco, the Reuters news agency reports.

Ms Meloni’s office earlier this week admitted she had a phone call with a Russian comedian who pretended to be a high-ranking African Union official.

Falling for the prank, Ms Meloni spoke of international “fatigue” with the war in Ukraine. She also complained that Italy had little support from European partners in dealing with migration.

The call took place in September.

Ms Meloni announced that her aide had quit on Friday. She said: “This matter was not handled well, we are all sorry, Ambassador (Francesco) Talo took responsibility for it.”