Ms Paula Jones is determined to go ahead with her case against President Clinton alleging sexual harassment, in spite of her lawyers' decision to stop representing her. Ms Jones had said she would not release the lawyers from the case. But Judge Susan Weber Wright, a former student of Mr Clinton when he taught law in Arkansas, yesterday ruled that the lawyers could withdraw.
The lawyers, Mr Gilbert K. Davis and Mr Joseph Cammarata, asked to withdraw from the case after three years of representing Ms Jones, citing their "professional ethical obligations". They said that "certain fundamental differences of opinion have arisen" between them and Ms Jones "as to the future course of this litigation".
President Clinton's attorney, Mr Robert S. Bennett, said in a statement from his office that "this is a nasty and highly personal dispute amongst Paula Jones, her attorneys and her public relations representatives".
This is a reference to the active role being played by the public relations consultant, Ms Susan Carpenter-McMillan, who is also a close friend of Ms Jones. The consultant had urged Ms Jones not to accept the advice of her lawyers and settle her case for $700,000 and a vague statement of regret from President Clinton that would not admit any impropriety by him but would say that she did not engage in any sexual misconduct, either.
Ms Jones continues to insist that President Clinton, when Governor of Arkansas in 1991, summoned her to his room in a hotel and made an improper sexual advance.
Ms Carpenter-McMillan says that the proposed statement was "vanilla language" which "can be spun any way they want". Her husband, Mr Bill McMillan, a lawyer, may now represent Ms Jones.
Last month, Judge Wright ruled that the civil action for damages for sexual harassment would be heard in Little Rock next May 27th but she dismissed the claim of defamation against President Clinton. This partial victory for Mr Clinton has meant, however, that his legal expenses, now estimated at $1.5 million, are no longer being covered by an insurance company.
Legal observers are divided on the effect of Ms Jones losing her lawyers. Some say the lawyers' move could seriously damage Ms Jones's credibility as it could imply she was encouraging them to do something ethically dubious.
Other observers say it is bad news for President Clinton as it shows her determination to press ahead with her claim. It will also mean his legal expenses will continue to mount up without insurance cover.
A former Democratic Party chairman, Mr Donald Fowler, acknowledged yesterday that his party made "mistakes" in fundraising for last year's elections, but never with a will to break the law.