US President Barack Obama took a subtle swipe at Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the G-8 by praising the leader of the state for his “integrity”. Obama praised President Giorgio Napolitano, saying that he enjoyed the “admiration of the Italian people”.

As he stood beside Napolitano, Obama said: “I had heard of the wonderful reputation of President Napolitano as somebody who has the admiration of the Italian people because of not only his long-standing, but also his integrity and his graciousness.”

The words, although were only to compliment the President, did have a special ring. In a country whose real leader Berlusconi, is under fire from a sex scandal, the words seemed to have another meaning — an attack on the PM’s moral fitness to lead Italy.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said: “I wouldn’t read anything into it at all. Sometimes we just mean what we say and there is no secret code.”

Others did not agree. James Walston, a political science professor at the American University of Rome, said: “There is definitely something there. The comments on integrity are a very mild swipe at all the things that are going on.

“I would be surprised if Obama commented on the Queen of England’s integrity. It is peculiar to emphasise the integrity of a largely symbolic leader.”