Scandal in Rome: Spy Glasses Lead to Minister's Downfall

Italy's culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned after admitting an affair with Maria Rosaria Boccia, who allegedly filmed inside parliament using spy glasses. Boccia's actions led to her being banned from parliament. The scandal has caused significant embarrassment for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government.

The scandal that led to the resignation of Italy's culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, took a dramatic turn as Maria Rosaria Boccia, the woman at the center of the controversy, was banned from parliament for allegedly illicit filming.

Sangiuliano stepped down last week amid revelations of his affair with Boccia and subsequent attempts to hire her as an adviser, actions he reconsidered due to conflict of interest. Boccia was disciplined for using spy glasses to capture videos inside the parliamentary chamber, which she claimed were intended to give her followers a guided tour.

In a statement, parliament's committee stressed that Boccia's actions violated rules against taking and circulating images from within the building, affecting particularly sensitive areas. The scandal has dominated Italian media, embarrassing the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

(With inputs from agencies.)