Lewinsky called to testify in court

Monica Lewinsky, the former White House trainee alleged to have had an affair with President Bill Clinton and lied about it, has been summoned to testify in court on Thursday, it was reported yesterday. Her lawyer, William Ginsburg, was expected to contest the order.

He insists that she be granted immunity from prosecution before testifying. She has adenied under oath having a sexual relationship with the President and could be charged with perjury if she now admits an affair.

Mr Ginsburg believed that Kenneth Starr, the independent prosecutor overseeing the investigation, had agreed to grant his client immunity and says he has signed letters to that effect.

Mr Starr is reported to have set additional conditions, including a face-to-face interview with Ms Lewinsky and perhaps a lie detector test, before finalising the offer of immunity. Mr Ginsburg is preparing to go to court to enforce the offer. Ms Lewinsky is being required to give evidence in the inquiry into allegations that she and the President had an affair and that he induced her to deny it.

-- Mary Dejevsky, Washington