Rushdie tells Georgia Meloni to 'grow up' after libel case

Sir Salman Rushdie said it was «childish»; Georgia Meloni to sue left-wing writer Roberto Saviano

Sir Salman Rushdie told the Italian prime minister to «grow up» after she sued a famous Italian writer for calling her a «bastard» because of her rigid views on migration.

Roberto Saviano, a writer and investigative journalist, was found guilty of libel in October after he insulted Giorgia Meloni during a televised discussion about a six-month-old Guinean baby who died crossing the Mediterranean with her mother.

“All this nonsense [Ms Meloni talks about], sea taxis, cruises [for migrants],” he said. “All I can say is: bastards, how could you? Meloni, Salvini: bastards.»

Mr Saviano was fined a symbolic 1,000 euros (£860), in what was seen as a test of freedom of speech in a country where libel can be punished with up to a prison term three years. ' imprisonment.

Speaking at the Turin Book Fair on Thursday, British-American author Sir Salman said he did not approve of the case.

Roberto Saviano lives under the threat of mob repression Photo: Julian Andrews/Eye R8

“At my own personal risk, I have to say that politicians should become thicker-skinned, because today a politician, having not only enormous power, but also great authority,” said he, reports Ansa, Italy's national news agency.

“So it is normal that some people speak directly about them, even in a bad way, using a bad word like the one Roberto used. My advice to this woman would be to stop being childish and grow up.»

Sir Salman has lived with a price on his head since The Satanic Verses, published in 1988, prompted Iran to issue a fatwa calling Muslims to kill him.

In 2022, he lost an eye when he was attacked by the American Hadi Matar at a literary festival.

Mr Saviano made a name for himself with Gomorrah, a book about the Neapolitan mafia Camorra, on which the film and TV series were based. He has since become a prominent figure on the Italian left.

Ms Meloni sued Mr Saviano when she was in opposition before becoming Italy's first female prime minister in October 2022

Mr Saviano, who has lived under 24-hour police protection since Gomorrah was published in 2006, has a history of clashes with right-wing politicians. He accused the coalition led by Ms. Meloni of trying to intimidate him.