The former Italian prime minister pulled his hair off the journalist: I made a mistake, time to reflect

Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has apologised for the gesture towards journalist Lavinia Orefi, following an incident taking place during the presentation of his latest book.

He has expressed regret and said he has done that act mechanically, in another context, acknowledging that he has made a mistake and is willing to reflect on the event.

“This story gives me the opportunity for a reflection”, he said, stressing that it is each individual's right to protect its own dignity and history and not accept ridicule, especially in the time of the internet that can be exploited and misinterpreted.

The incident occurred on Saturday, when the journalist asked Prodi for a comment on a passage of the Vantotetanne Manifest, related to private property.

The journalist's question disturbed the former European Commission president, and in a video later distributed in La7, it was seen when he pulled the journalist's hair, prompting a strong reaction from her.

Lavinia Orefici has declared that he felt humiliated and intimidated by his conduct, stressing that the action was shocking and had a aggressive and frightening tone.

By contrast, Prodi has been European Commission President from 1999 to 2004 and Italy's prime minister twice, from 1996 to 1998 and again from 2006 to 2008./Periscopi/