Dominique Strauss-Kahn fails to halt 'Beast' book

Disgraced French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn (Getty Images)

The former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has failed to block publication of a kiss-and-tell book by a former lover which describes him as "half man and half pig".

But the tribunal de grande instance in Paris awarded Mr Strauss-Kahn €75,000 (£65,000) damages and ordered publication to be delayed to allow the insertion of a rebuttal page in each copy.

Beauty and Beast, by the Argentinian essayist Marcela Iacub, was due to appear today but will now be delayed for several days.

During a hearing, Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers accused Ms Iacub, 49, of "trapping" and "exploiting" the disgraced politician by starting an affair with him last year at the suggestion of her publishers. The lawyers read an email to Mr Strauss-Kahn in which Ms Iacub apologised and said that she has been "manipulated". The email said: "I was supposed to make you believe that I was besotted with you. They [the publishers] are not wicked people, just thoughtless and crazy."

In response, the lawyer for Stock, Christophe Bigot, said she had "no recollection" of sending such a message. He quoted her saying: "I take entire responsibility for this publication. I was manipulated by no one."