ROME, Italy (Reuters):

An Italian senator's boast on television that he cheated traffic jams in Rome during a visit by United States President George W. Bush by calling an ambulance, may cost him a court appearance, officials said yesterday.

Conservative opposition senator Gustavo Selva risked being late for a TV interview on Saturday because streets around the Senate were blocked for Bush's visit.

So he dialled 118 for an ambulance asking to be rushed to his heart specialist - giving the TV studio's address.

"I used an old journalist's trick to get here," he boasted on live television.

The emergency services were not amused. They had 600 genuine emergency calls on Saturday and about 50 ambulances standing by as part of thespecial preparations for the Bush visit.

Health Minister Livia said "This arrogant stunt could have had tragic consequences if another person had really needed that ambulance," she said.