PRESIDENT Clinton's attempt to delay a trial in which he will have to defend himself against charges of sexual harassment failed in an appeals court in Little Rock, Arkansas, yesterday.

The White House has desperately tried to avoid a hearing while Mr Clinton is in office. It now appears that the lawsuit by Paula Jones, 29, a former Miss Arkansas, could go ahead before the November election. If the trial, originally set for May 15, begins without more intervention, the details may shock many voters, although the so-called "bimbo eruptions" during Mr Clinton's 1992 campaign made little difference to his fortunes.

He is alleged to have lured Ms Jones to a hotel room five years ago. It is claimed that he dropped his trousers and demanded sex. A public trial at which state troopers, who guarded Mr Clinton that day, are to be called to testify about the services they performed, would be a nightmare for the Clintons. Mr Clinton denies the accusation. His argument that the case was extraordinary in that it raised "constitutional issues of profound consequences to the presidency and judiciary" was rejected.

9 February 1996: Clinton's million dollar sex precaution pays off

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