League Deputy Secretary Andrea Crippa said that Greco should “perform an act of dignity and resign,” arguing he was guilty of being “racist towards Italians and Christians”.

“We’ll do everything to have him kicked out and we ask Culture Minister [Gennaro] Sangiuliano to sack him if he doesn’t resign,” Crippa told Affaritaliani.

He said the case of the discount, which dates back some time, led to a legal battle that culminated with him being cleared after Greco reported him for asking people to protest against it.

Several opposition politicians came to Greco’s defence.

Daniela Ruffino of the centrist Azione party said that, according to Crippa’s logic, he should also ask for Sangiuliano’s resignation over the decision to exempt Rome residents from paying an entry fee to the Pantheon, thus discriminating against other Italians.

“Seeking to use Christian Greco, an Egyptologist of universal fame and esteem, to conduct a religious war against Islam says a lot about how low political combat can go,” Ruffino said.

ANSA