Former White House aide Monica Lewinsky appears ready to confirm she had an 18-month relationship with President Bill Clinton.

But Hillary Clinton is standing by the US President and is preparing to speak publicly in his defence.

Ms Lewinsky, 24, apparently admitted on tape to beginning an affair with the president during a work placement in the White House.

But she may stop short of confirming he pressured her to lie about the relationship under oath.

Her lawyer, William Ginsburg, is trying to strike a deal with the independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr. This would give her immunity from prosecution if she admits committing perjury by not telling the truth about the relationship.

The other man: Kenneth Starr goes to work

But Mr Starr is gathering enough evidence to bring full criminal charges against Ms Lewinsky, which could send her to jail if she does not co-operate with his inquiry.

In his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Clinton made no reference to the storm of sex allegations.

But the First Lady has confirmed she will appear on breakfast television shows on Tuesday - when the president is scheduled to give his State of the Union address - to defend her husband as she did during Gennifer Flowers' allegations of a 12-year affair.

According to White House staff, Mrs Clinton, has switched into "full battle-mode" ready to fight for her husband's political survival.

Hillary Clinton has stood by her man before

"She's been through this many times and if anyone knows how to roll with it, Hillary Clinton does," a senior White House official said.

Ms Flowers has added her voice to the latest scandal. She appeared on the Larry King Live TV show to accuse Mr Clinton of repeatedly using official residences for sexual liaisons.

"There was one time he wanted me to have sex with me in the Governor's Mansion [in Little Rock, Arkansas] with his wife out on the lawn just a few feet away," said Ms Flowers. "I said, no, because I was afraid."

She added: "He will take chances."

The former White House Chief of Staff, Leon Panetta, has joined those who say the charges, if true, would finish the president's scandal-ridden career.

In such circumstances, it would be better for Vice-President Al Gore, who has publicly backed Mr Clinton's denial, to take over, he added.

"The worst scenario is if there's substance to it and it drags on," said Mr Panetta.

Surveys in the US show the scandal is eating away at support for Mr Clinton and the charges could yet derail his presidency even if they cannot be proved.

Mr Clinton told his cabinet on Friday: "I'm going to be fine, and you will be, too, and let's all hang in there."

New details maintain interest

But fresh details, including allegations of phone sex keep media and public interest at feverish levels.

Lawyers familiar with the tapes, recorded without Ms Lewinsky's knowledge, say she talks of "more than 10 but less than dozens" of meetings with Mr Clinton where sex took place.

Those who know Ms Lewinsky, who remains in hiding and refusing to comment, say she is intelligent and personable.

However, a report in The Washington Post newspaper states she boasted about a previous relationship with an official in the US Defence Department and was known for making lewd and inappropriate comments about her sex life.
 

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