Dominique Strauss-Kahn fails to have final sex charge thrown out

Dominique Strauss-Kahn failed to end the criminal investigation into his alleged role in organising sex parties with prostitutes in the US and France and Belgium (EPA)

The former IMF chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, failed today to free himself of his last remaining accusation of sexual misconduct.

A court in Douai in northern France threw out Mr Strauss-Kahn’s attempt to end a criminal investigation into his alleged role in organising sex parties with prostitutes in France, Belgium and the United States.

The appeal judges decided that there was enough evidence to justify an extended investigation of the former French cabinet minister for “conspiracy” and “aggravated pimping”. Following the settlement last week of the civil case brought against him for alleged sexual assault in New York, Mr Strauss-Kahn had hoped to draw a line yesterday under 19 months of legal allegations and public disgrace.

The court in Douai decided, however, that the investigation of DSK – as he is widely known – and eight other people in the “Carlton affair” should continue towards possible charges and a trial next year.

Mr Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers said that he would appeal to France’s highest court to have the investigation brought to an end.

DSK is formally accused – a step short of a charge in the French system – of helping to organise orgies with prostitutes in Lille, Brussels, Paris and Washington in 2008-11.