Strauss-Kahn prosecutor stands firm over 'leaks'

Lawyers representing the alleged victim in the sexual assault case accused Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance of undermining their case by leaking damaging information about her.

Late on Wednesday, the lawyer for Strauss-Kahn's accuser wrote to Vance requesting he step down after leaking information revealing the prosecution's doubts about the 32-year-old Guinean maid's credibility.

Kenneth Thompson said he wanted to ensure his client's rights "are not further prejudiced by deliberate acts seeking to undermine her credibility".

But the district attorney's office slammed the allegation as baseless: “Any suggestion that this office should be recused is wholly without merit," said District Attorney spokesperson Erin Duggan.

Strauss-Kahn had previously been a leading contender to be the French Socialist Party's presidential candidate before his arrest in May.

However, concerns regarding his accuser’s reliability in New York have unseated the previously reported ‘ironclad’ case, and led to speculation that he might be free to return to French politics.

However, on Monday, Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Hamon said the idea that Strauss-Kahn could now run for the presidency was "the weakest" of all possible scenarios.

On Tuesday, French writer Tristane Banon also filed a complaint accusing Mr Strauss-Kahn of trying to assault her as she attempted to interview him in a Paris flat in 2003.

The allegations prompted Strauss-Kahn to vow he would sue Banon for making false statements.

Earlier, Strauss-Kahn's lawyers and prosecutors held a private meeting - lasting some 90 minutes - in an apparent attempt to explore the possibility of a plea bargain.

The former IMF chief denies sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York on 14 May, and was recently freed from house arrest in the city.