Arow has erupted in Italy after legendary lyricist Mogol was flown from the Sanremo Song Festival, where he received a career achievement award on Thursday night, on board a fire-brigade helicopter to receive another gong from firefighting chiefs at a Rome theatre Friday.
"This is extremely serious, the craft was used for reasons outside its institutional remit," said the USB union, while opposition politicians were also critical.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi slammed what he called "instrumental polemics" and said it was only "normal" to lay on a complimentary flight for the "national monument," who turns 90 in August and is best known for his collaboration with the late Lucio Battisti.
Mogol said he had had a "great time" on the flight and during the subsequent awards ceremony at Teatro Argentina in the Italian capital, where he was made an honorary member of Italy's fire service after penning their new anthem for their 87th anniversary The opposition 5-Star Movement tabled a parliamentary question to Piantedosi asking why the flight had been laid on.
"This morning, a Fire Brigade helicopter took off from Sanremo to carry Mogol to Rome, where he was to receive an honour at the Teatro Argentina in the presence of Minister Piantedosi.
