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DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN is an innocent man until a court proves otherwise. But the spectacular fall from grace of the head of the International Monetary Fund and French presidential hopeful on sexual assault charges in New York has set off a political earthquake from which “DSK”, is likely to find it impossible to recover his standing.

They do justice differently in New York, as viewers of Law and Order SVUwill be well aware. Ahead of trial District Attorneys happily spell out detailed allegations on courtroom steps, manacled prisoners are paraded before cameras whether or not identity is at issue, the press interviews witnessses and dissects character and “form” of accuser and accused – he is alleged to have some – and guilt is often pronounced. And then the defence team gets to muddy the waters, leak alibis, dispute timelines. . .