Italian Health Minister Francesco Storace has announced his intention to resign from the government following accusations that he spied on rivals during regional elections last year.
Mr Storace has denied allegations that he ordered a large-scale espionage operation during his failed bid last year to retain his seat as president of the Lazio region.
However, in a statement issued today he said he wanted to free himself from politics to better defend himself.
His resignation would represent a major blow to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi just a month ahead of a general election that opinion polls say the ruling coalition will lose.
