'It was a moral mistake and I'm not proud of it': Strauss-Kahn breaks his silence in TV interview over allegations he sexually assaulted a maid



Former IMF chief also calls French writer's rape accusations 'imaginary'

Shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn last night described his sexual encounter with a New York hotel maid as a ‘moral failing’.

Breaking his silence on the scandal that cost him his job –and his chance of becoming France’s president –Mr Strauss-Kahn insisted he used ‘no violence, constraint or aggression’ against the maid accusing him of attempted rape, but admitted: ‘I will always regret it.’

The 63-year-old was interviewed on French television by veteran presenter Claire Chazal. He had been accused of ‘trying to dodge the tough questions’ by choosing Ms Chazal, who is a close friend of his wife, Anne Sinclair.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has broken his silence over allegations of a sexual encounter with a New York maid in an interview on French television

The interview began with the question: ‘What happened in the suite at the Sofitel hotel?’

Mr Strauss-Kahn replied: ‘What happened involved neither violence, nor constraint, nor aggression, nor any other wrongful act. What happened was not only inappropriate relations, but a fault. It was a moral fault that I am not proud of. I will always regret it.’

He said he had ‘no intention of negotiating’ with 32-year-old Nafissatou Diallo over her civil action against him. The criminal case against him has already been dropped.

Accusations: Tristane Banon, left, says Mr Strauss-Kahn attacked her during 2003, while Nafissatou Diallo has launched a civil action against the politician



Mr Strauss-Kahn also admitted that the scandal had dashed his presidential ambitions, adding: ‘I have now missed my appointment with the French people.’



He agreed with Ms Chazal that the incident on May 14 could have been a set-up, saying: ‘A trap, well that’s possible. A conspiracy? We’ll see.’

The interview appeared scripted at times, with Mr Strauss-Kahn, wearing a dark suit and navy tie, appearing totally unflustered.

The multi-millionaire said he would ‘take time to reflect’ about his future, but confirmed that he had no immediate plans to return to politics.

Easy ride: Strauss-Kahan was questioned by Claire Chazal, a friend of his wife Annie Sinclair

The interview comes amid a raft of allegations in France that he tried to rape young journalist Tristane Banon eight years ago.

It emerged this week that Strauss-Kahn has confessed to police that he ‘tried to kiss her’, but denies and violence or attempted rape. He admitted lunging at Ms Banon –31 years his junior –because ‘he thought that’s what she wanted’, according to the magazine L’Express.

Protest: A group of feminists gathered outside the TV1 studios to denounce Strauss-Kahn prior to the interview

Ms Banon has claimed that Mr Strauss-Kahn ‘behaved like a rutting chimpanzee’ leading her to kick and punch him before fleeing in panic.