Paula Jones: Claims Clinton asked her for oral sex

Clinton Faces Trial for Sexual Harassment

The lawsuit is being brought by a former Arkansas state employee, Paula Jones, who alleges that Mr Clinton asked her to perform oral sex in a hotel room in 1991, when he was state governor. Mr Clinton denies the charge.

She adds that when she first made her story public the President's allies deliberately defamed her character, calling her pathetic and a liar. Those representing Miss Jones say that she was victimised, a twenty-three year old secretary facing the highest elected official in the state.

The Clinton's on holiday: Shrugging off lawsuit

If the case is not settled out of court first, it will make Mr Clinton the first sitting president to face legal proceedings for a civil offence.

He failed earlier this year to get the Supreme Court to delay the case until the end of his second term, in 2001.

The BBC's Washington correspondent, Tom Carver, examines the background of the case
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Sitting in court in the state capital of Little Rock, District Judge Susan Webber Wright has thrown out a motion by the President's lawyers to dismiss the case. But she also dismissed some elements of Paula Jones' complaint.

She has recommended that the trial begin on 26th of May 1998 and said she believed it should be wrapped up within the month. But lawyers are reported to be still arguing about the details of the schedule.

But whether Paula Jones wins the case or not, public debate about his sexual behaviour is bound to embarrass the President and to raise questions once again about his moral character.

Mr Clinton has made it clear that he sees his second term of office as a chance to establish his place in the history books. This case may make records of a different kind if he becomes the first American President to be sued for sexual harrassment.