Former President Christian Wulff on trial for office favours

Germany: Former German President Christian Wulff is to go on trial accused of receiving and granting favours in office. He is alleged to have accepted the payment of hotel bills by a film producer in return for lobbying while he was premier of Lower Saxony in 2008. Mr Wulff - who stepped down in February 2012 after less than two years in the post - is Germany's first former head of state to answer charges in court.

The 54-year-old rejects the allegations and has vowed to clear his name. Film producer David Groenewold also faces similar charges. Offer rejected The trial is expected to start at 09:00 GMT in the northern city of Hannover. Mr Wulff is alleged to have allowed film producer David Groenewold to pay hotel bills in Munich during the Oktoberfest beer festival in 2008 and on the northern island of Sylt in 2007.

In return, Mr Wulff is accused of having lobbied German companies to support Mr Groenewold's work. Prosecutors had sought to put the former head on trial for corruption, but the court only approved the less serious charges. If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail or a fine. Mr Wulff and Mr Groenewold had rejected an offer from the prosecutor in March to settle the case with a fine - a procedure allowed for cases not considered especially serious.