Edwards may face jail sentence

John Edwards, the former US Senator and two-time presidential hopeful, was set to return to a courtroom yesterday, facing possible time in prison if convicted of alleged campaign-finance violations.

Jury selection was scheduled to begin in Greensboro, North Carolina, with Mr Edwards, 58, accused of secretly obtaining more than $900,000 (£565,000) in illegal campaign funds from two wealthy donors to hide his pregnant mistress during his failed bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

Mr Edwards is said to have solicited the money to cover up the extramarital affair and child he had with a campaign videographer. He was indicted on six counts in June 2011 and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, taking illegal campaign contributions and making false statements.