Even Saverio Borrelli, the prosecutor who led the so-called Mani Pulite (Clean Hands) anti-corruption drive that swept away Italy's old political order 15 years ago, recognises that Italian investigators resort much too freely and lazily to telephone-tapping and eavesdropping.
Being questioned by Michael Borrelli QC, representing William Connors, Mr Gourlay told the court he felt like he was "part of the family" and was given a birthday cake and a party in an Irish club and on another occasion TV was bought for him.