Vannacci was removed from his post as head of the military geographical institute after self-publishing a book, The World Back To Front, which slams gays, Jews, migrants, environmentalists and feminists among others.

His free-speech rights have been defended by many members of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, of which Crosetto was a co-founder.

He told Corriere della Sera in an interview on Tuesday that some among the top brass wanted to take even tougher action against Vannacci, but it had in any case been a mistake to sack him.

“I would not have even made the change of function, precisely to extinguish the case and avoid Vannacci becoming a martyr,” Crosetto told the Milan-based paper, Italy’s biggest selling non-sports daily.

“But I can assure you that the people I spoke to and who then acted (to sack Vannacci) would actually rather have demanded much more toughness”.

Asked about the ‘friendly fire’ from the FdI members who have staunchly defended the general’s right to air his anti-gay and other controversial views, Crosetto replied: “I do not consider any of those who spoke about me as friends, since they are mystifying reality.”

PD chief Stefano Graziano is one of a chorus of politicians and community leaders calling on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to comment on General Vannacci’s airing of his comments slamming gays, Jews, migrants, environmentalists and feminists among others. (Photo: ANSA)

The minister said that, though Vannacci had now become a martyr and a hero to many and his book is topping sales lists, he would act as he did if he had to again, stressing that the general had a role of responsibility and should not have aired personal views in an official book.

“I would do what I did again because the Minister of Defence had to act like that. I did not speak as a politician but as a representative of the institutions,” Crosetto said.

Deputy Prime Minister and centre right Forza Italia interim leader Antonio Tajani has also chided Vannucci.

He said more “prudence” is required from people in such posts of responsibility as the former head of the military geographical institute.

“... it behooves us to be cautious when dealing with positions of great responsibility, because legitimate and personal opinions risk becoming opinions of the institution being represented,” Tajani said.

Vannacci, meanwhile, who in the book claimed he is the heir of Julius Caesar – which has drawn flak from those who recalled the great Roman general was a notorious bisexual – has again turned down an offer from the far right Forza Nuova (FN) party to stand for them in the Senate seat at Monza left vacant by the late Silvio Berlusconi.

As for his reported ‘very cordial’ phone conversation with right-wing League leader Matteo Salvini, who said he would gladly read his book and “… (the general) must be judged for what he does on duty, and if he then writes something that has nothing to do with his work he has every right to do so”, Vannacci told Corriere: “I won’t say anything about the content of the communication with Salvini, but it certainly pleased me.”

The general’s supporters have highlighted his distinguished record as former head of the crack Folgore paratroopers regiment on missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries and have lauded his courage in denouncing the deadly after-effects of depleted uranium munitions.

The centre-left opposition Democratic Party, meanwhile, is urging Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to speak on the case.

“We ask Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is she is on the side of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who quite rightly approved the replacement of the general, or on Salvini’s side?” Stefano Graziano, PD chief on the Lower House’s defence committee, said.

The Italian Partisans Association (ANPI) has also called on Meloni to say where she stands on the case.

ANSA