DSK says sexual encounter with hotel maid was wrong

In his first television interview since sexual assault charges were dropped, Mr Strauss-Kahn said his encounter with Nafissatou Diallo was not violent or aggressive. But he added that he would “obviously” not be seeking to become the Socialist candidate in the 2012 French presidential elections.

Feminist protesters gathered outside the television studios in Paris where the interview was recorded criticised the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund. One said: “He is taking us for idiots.” Another said: “I want to beat him up.”

But Mr Strauss-Kahn’s friends rallied round, with former culture minister Jack Lang praising his candour. “Personally, I thought he was remarkable, I thought he was excellent – sincere, clear, humble and I thought he answered everything we could have wanted.”

I want to beat him up. Protester

Mr Lang added that he still still had a role to play in public life. “He will surely return to the public debate, in one form or another. Personally, I’m hoping he will.”

Mr Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York in May and charged with sexual assault after an incident in a hotel room. He resigned as IMF chief, but the charges were dropped in August when prosecutors said Ms Diallo lacked credibility.

His interview with TF1 was carried out by Claire Chazal, a friend of his wife Anne Sinclair. He told her and millions of viewers: “What happened was more than an inappropriate relationship. It was an error. There was neither violence nor coercion nor aggression or any criminal act. Neither scratches or injuries, no sign of violence. Not my words, but the words of the prosecutor.”

He added that he was guilty of “a moral failing, and I am not proud of it”.

Attempted rape allegations

Mr Strauss-Kahn also faces allegations by the French writer Tristane Banon that he tried to rape her in 2003. But he described her claims as imaginary. Ms Diallo is pursuing a civil case against him in New York.

Before the claims, Mr Strauss-Kahn was considered the Socialist party’s best hope of beating President Nicolas Sarkozy in next year’s elections. He did not rule out a return to politics in his interview, but said he needed time to think about his future.

A poll in a French newspaper found that 53 per cent of those surveyed believe he should retire from politics.