Clinton sex case takes on a new twist

The Washington Times yesterday purported to reveal the nature of the "distinguishing characteristics" of President Clinton's genitals that Paula Jones said she observed when he allegedly exposed himself to her in 1991.

Ms Jones has said that her description - which she recorded in a sworn affidavit earlier this year, would prove the truth of her accusations of sexual harassment.

According to the Washington Times, which takes a generally anti-Clinton stance, Ms Jones had described a distinct curvature of the President's erect penis - a symptom which, the paper noted, could be caused by a condition known as Peyronie's disease. The contents of Ms Jones's affidavit have been a closely guarded secret since the existence of the affidavit became known.

The paper went on to say that it had learnt "authoritatively" that during his annual medical check-up two weeks ago, Mr Clinton had undergone a detailed genital examination, "specifically designed to rule out Peyronie's disease".

When the President returns from his trip to South America, he will face further tests in the form of 72 questions set by Ms Jones's lawyers. They include this one, which cuts to the heart of the suit: "Please admit or deny the following: On May 8, 1991, at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock, Ark. Defendant Clinton exposed his penis to Paula Jones."

And there is this: "Please admit or deny the following: After May 8 1991, but while he was still Governor of the State of Arkansas, in the Rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol, Defendant Clinton touched Paula Jones and said, 'Don't we make a beautiful couple - beauty and the beast'."

Mr Clinton, who says that he cannot even remember meeting Ms Jones, is not likely to engage in this game. His lawyers have the option of asking the judge in the case to block the questions.

With little prospect of the two sides agreeing to an out-of-court settlement, the case itself is due to go to trial in Little Rock next May.