Rome mayor withdraws resignation, defying Italy PM Renzi

Marino, a member of the PD, continues to lack the support of Renzi and his decision to battle on in office opens up a potentially damaging conflict for the prime minister.

Marino, who has steadily lost popularity since being elected in 2013, denied any wrongdoing when he announced his resignation on Oct. 8, following allegations that he had tendered inaccurate claims for several restaurant meals.

"The mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, has signed the letter in which he withdraws his resignation," said a brief statement from the city hall.

Marino never formally left office and even in his original resignation letter, he said he could reverse his decision if he felt the political situation had changed.

However, that does not appear to have happened.

Renzi has distanced himself openly from Marino, saying he had "lost the confidence of the Romans", and the PD said earlier on Thursday that it would pull all its councillors from the city government if Marino withdrew his resignation.

It was not clear how Marino hoped to continue to govern the Rome administration without the backing of the PD councillors.

(Reporting by Gavin Jones; Editing by Crispian Balmer)