Audit Court probe into Salvini State flights, minister denies abusing the system

(ANSA) - Rome, May 16 - Prosecutors for the Lazio Audit Court have opened an exploratory probe into the use of State flights by Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, ANSA sources said on Thursday, confirming a report by La Repubblica. Salvini, meanwhile, denied reports that he has been using State Police aircraft to reach rallies for his League party.
    "There is no abuse, no wrongdoing, no State or Police flight used for rallies, they were always used for institutional commitments," he said. "I challenge anyone to show the contrary". Earlier on Thursday, sources from the League's government coalition partner, the 5-Star Movement (M5S), said Salvini should clear things up.
    "It's a strange affair," the M5S source told ANSA.
    "If it is true that the Audit Court has opened an explorative probe to verify whether he travelled on police aeroplanes and helicopters (for reasons) beyond the strictly institutional, it means that there is a little shadow to shed light on.
    "It is right that Salvini should do that and we are certain that he will".