Mr Morton is reported to have signed a seven-figure deal for rights to Ms Lewinsky's account of her affair with President Clinton and how she has since been rebuilding her life.

The book, provisionally titled "Monica's Story", is due to be published next summer.

British publisher Michael O'Mara said the publishing coup was a result of the "strong personal chemistry" between Ms Lewinsky and Mr Morton.

Diana's taped interviews appeared in the revised book

He said the former intern "likes the idea of an author who is used to writing sympathetic books about women who have relationships with powerful men".

Mr Morton is no stranger to controversy.

A former Fleet Street reporter, he was propelled into the public eye in 1992 when he published "Diana: Her True Story", written with the apparent co-operation of the Princess of Wales.

The biography caused a stir with its in-depth revelations of Diana's troubled marriage to Prince Charles.

The book became a best-seller and was translated into 29 languages and sold in 80 countries.

Diana in her own words

Mr Morton became embroiled deeper in controversy last year with the release of his second instant best-seller about the princess, just months after her death.

The Yorkshire-born journalist published a revised version of his original book under the title: "Diana: Her True Story - In Her Own Words", containing transcripts of taped interviews with the princess.

The 18,000 words, spoken by Diana at her Kensington Palace home and passed to Mr Morton by an unnamed third person, were reported to have formed the basis for the original book but had not appeared in print.

The revised biography, however, contained extracts of the princess's own account of her engagement and marriage to the Prince of Wales.

Mr Morton was accused of cashing in on Diana's death by a broad spectrum of public figures including MPs, churchmen and - reportedly - the Royal Family itself.

He also came under fire for subjecting her two grieving sons - Princes William and Harry - to further details of their parents' unhappy relationship.