The US congressional committee dealing with impeachment proceedings against President Clinton has decided not to follow up allegations about his campaign financing during the presidential election two years ago.

The BBC Washington correspondent says this clears the way for the House Judiciary Committee to take a vote at the end of next week on whether to impeach President Clinton over his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

Observers believe the Republican majority on the committee will vote for impeachment but that there is doubt about whether the House of Representatives would support it.

Our correspondent says there is renewed talk of a motion of censure against the President.