Senate vice president compares black minister to an ape

A key parliamentarian in the anti-immigration Northern League party has likened Italy's first black minister to an orang-utan.

Cecile Kyenge, an eye surgeon and Italian citizen born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has repeatedly suffered racial slurs since her appointment as integration minister in April.

Roberto Calderoli, vice-president of Italy's Senate, said on Saturday at a political rally in the northern town of Treviglio: "I love animals - bears and wolves, as everyone knows - but when I see the pictures of Kyenge I cannot but think of, even if I'm not saying she is one, the features of an orang-utan."

He reportedly said the success of Kyenge encouraged "illegal immigrants" to come to Italy and she should be a minister "in her own country".

Yesterday, politicians, including some from his own party, lambasted Calderoli, with some calling for him to resign as Senate vice-president. In an official statement and on Twitter, Prime Minister Enrico Letta said the comments were unacceptable.

"They go beyond all limits. Full solidarity and support to Cecile. Forward with your and our work," Letta said.