Level of debate 'chilling' says Boldrini (3)

(ANSA) - Rome, August 29 - House Speaker Laura Boldrini on Tuesday reacted to those who said she had failed to condemn a North African gang's rape of two people in Rimini because of her pro-migrant stances by saying "I find the level of the debate in these days chilling". She said "there are deplorable polemics, by those who only aimed to poison the climate. My condemnation is obviously unconditional. Those who doubt my commitment in this field is surely in bad faith and biased." Asked about the Northern Leaguer who suggested she should be raped, she said: "it's a repugnant episode. They are touching bottom".
    Boldrini said leaders "who open up to hate are responsible" for debasing the political debate in Italy.
    She said the many people who threaten her on Facebook have a "clear orientation, and this is the result".
    A politician for the We With Salvini (NcS) rightwing populist party, Saverio Solvini, was sacked Monday for asking, in light of a Rimini gang rape by apparent migrants, "when will it (rape) happen to (House Speaker Laura) Boldrini and the women of the (centre-left) Democratic Party?".
    "Solvini is no longer a party member, as of today," said Puglia NcS chief Rossano Sasso, saying the party disassociated itself from what he had said.
    Boldrini, noted for her pro-migrant stances, is a hate figure for rightists and recently said she would start suing them for the extreme statements, many couched in sexual language, she regularly receives.
    We With Salvini is the southern branch of the anti-immigrant Northern League, led by Matteo Salvini.
    Salvini had earlier faced calls to sack Solvini, who was party chief in the southern town of San Giovanni Rotondo.