Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn claimed diplomatic immunity and complained about being handcuffed as he was arrested for sexual assault in New York, official documents reveal.

At the airport police station, detectives ordered Mr Strauss-Kahn to empty his pockets, the documents show.

"Is that necessary?" he asked when handcuffs were produced.

"Yes it is," said Detective Diwan Maharaj of the New York Port Authority Police.

Mr Strauss-Kahn then asserted he had diplomatic immunity, and asked to speak to the French consulate.

Ten minutes later, Mr Strauss-Kahn asked if he could be handcuffed "in the front", and five minutes after that, he said, "I need to make a call and let them know I won't be at my meeting tomorrow. These handcuffs are tight."

About 2045 local time, Mr Strauss-Kahn was at a detective's office in Manhattan, and asked if he could have coffee.

Fifteen minutes later, Mr Strauss-Kahn asked, "Do I need a lawyer?"

By the time of this conversation, the documents reveal that Mr Strauss-Kahn may have changed his mind over the issue of diplomatic immunity.

"It is your right to have one in this country if you want. I don't know if you have some kind of diplomatic status," Detective Miguel Rivera replied.

"No, no no, I'm not trying to use that," Mr Strauss-Kahn said. "I just want to know if I need a lawyer."

"That is up to you," Mr Rivera responded.

Several days after his arrest, the IMF said Mr Strauss-Kahn, as managing director, had only limited immunity that was not applicable in the New York case.

Two hours after Mr Strauss-Kahn asked whether he needed a lawyer, he told the detectives the lawyer had told him not to talk.

The following morning, police asked Mr Strauss-Kahn if he wanted something to eat.

"I would like some eggs," he said.

The following evening, Mr Strauss-Kahn asked for a sandwich.

Originally Published On: www.bbc.co.uk – Original Article Here