Strauss-Kahn prosecutor stands firm over 'leaks'

The chief prosecutor in the attempted rape trial of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has rejected calls to stand down.

Lawyers representing the alleged victim in the sexual assault case accused Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance of undermining their case by leaking damaging information about her.
They say Mr Vance should be replaced by a special prosecutor.
But a spokeswoman for Mr Vance said the claims were "wholly without merit".
Earlier, Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers and prosecutors held a private meeting - lasting some 90 minutes - in an apparent attempt to explore the possibility of a plea bargain.
The former IMF chief denies sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York on 14 May, and was recently freed from house arrest in the city.
Credibility undermined Late on Wednesday, the lawyer for Mr Strauss-Kahn's accuser wrote to Mr Vance requesting he step down after leaking information revealing the prosecution's doubts about the 32-year-old Guinean maid's credibility.
Kenneth Thompson said he wanted to ensure his client's rights "are not further prejudiced by deliberate acts seeking to undermine her credibility".
But the district attorney's office said the allegation was baseless.
"Any suggestion that this office should be recused is wholly without merit," said District Attorney spokeswoman Erin Duggan.
Mr Strauss-Kahn had been a leading contender to be the French Socialist Party's presidential candidate before his arrest in May.
Concerns about the reliability of his accuser in New York have left that case reportedly in trouble, and led to speculation that he might return to French politics.
However, on Monday, Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Hamon said the idea that Mr Strauss-Kahn could now run for the presidency was "the weakest" of all possible scenarios.
On Tuesday, French writer Tristane Banon filed a complaint accusing Mr Strauss-Kahn of trying to assault her as she attempted to interview him in a Paris flat in 2003.
Mr Strauss-Kahn said he would sue Ms Banon for making false statements.

Posted in: US