British historian Peter Martland has discovered that Italian dictator Benito Mussolini worked as an agent for the United Kingdom during the First World War.

In an interview with leading newspaper The Guardian, Mr Martland says that Mussolini, who began working for MI5 in 1917, was paid 100 pounds a week, the equivalent of about 6400 euros today. He reportedly spent most of his money on his many mistresses.

During the First World War, the British government considered Italy an unreliable ally of the United Kingdom, and Mussolini was to use his influence as owner and editor of the newspaper Il Popolo d'Italia to campaign for Italy to stay in the war. He also agreed to send Italian army veterans to beat up peace protesters.

He later took power in 1922 and ruled Italy as a fascist dictator until 1945, when he and his mistress Clara Petacci were captured and shot by partisans. His body was taken to Milan where it was hung upside down at a petrol station for public viewing and to prove he was dead.