. WASHINGTON, Feb 1: As House prosecutors prepared to 3uestion Monica Lewinsky un- • er' oath in President Bill Clinton's impeachment case. White House lawyers headed for court today to accuse the Independent Counsel of violating Grand Jury secrecy laws, reports AP.

Kenneth Starr's office has engaged in illegal, partisan leaking of secret Information. Clinton's lawyer, David Kendall, told reporters. He apparently referred to a weekend story in The New York Times saying Starr has concluded that Clinton can be indicted while in office.

"We are filing today in US District Court for the District of Columbia a motion to show cause why ... Starr and members of is staff should not be held in contempt for improper violations of Grand Jury se-

crecy." Kendall said.

The story, coming at the time the Senate is trying to find a way to end Clintons impeachment trial, drew criticism from senators from both parties.

"I thought that the timing was extremely unfortunate and that it was inappropriate to come out while the Senate is concluding the president's trial." said Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Starr spokesman Charles Bakaly denied Starr's office was the source of tile story. "We have no interest in interposing ourselves in the Senate's business." he said today on ABC's' "Good Morning America.''

AFP adds: Monica Lewinsky began her 23rd round of questioning today at a hotel here, where President Clinton's prosecutors hope her new testimony

will support their impeachment drive.

A Republication House prosecutor and three White House lawyers will each have four hours, but Clinton’s defence team has indicated it does not intend to ask many questions.

Lewinsky is the first of three witness.es this week to be deposed before a final vote in the President's impeachment trial on February 12.

Republican representative

Adward Bryant said his questions will not focus on sexual encounters but will seek to clarify discrepancies in the accounts from Clinton and Lewinsky related to the charge of obstruction of Justice-

Prosecutors want to link Lewinsky's sworn denial of her affair with Clinton to his help in getting her a Job. and to discover whether the President asked her to return gifts that could be used as evidence.