Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Elon Musk's growing involvement in politics on Thursday and said she had never discussed with him a potential deal to supply secure communications to Italy.

Meloni stressed that national interest was “the only lens” through which she judged such potential contracts with SpaceX, the owner of the satellite system Starlink.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denies discussing a deal with Elon Musk's Starlink for encrypted telecommunications services for the military.

Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni said her government is in talks with private companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, over the country’s telecoms security system, but denied having discussed the issue privately with Musk.

Reports that Elon Musk's SpaceX is in advanced negotiations with the Italian government over the provision of internet and telecommunications via its Starlink system have raised security and competition concerns.