While Xerox said it had not yet seen the lawsuit and therefore could not comment on the specific claims, the company defended itself against allegations of discrimination.

I got the most stick when Clinton was defending himself against allegations of an affair.

He publicly defended Karzai against allegations of corruption and said that he is the most hard-working president Afghanistan has ever had.

Before today, Mr. de Klerk had strenuously defended the military against such allegations.

While defending himself against allegations that he gained improper correspondence credits while in junior college, Lloyd hired a lawyer.

"It is no secret that the legal bills associated with defending oneself against allegations that have been made are onerous," Mr. Cisneros said.

President Bush has defended himself against allegations that he was personally involved in business practices that are at the heart of the scandal engulfing corporate America.

Nelson Mandela had consistently defended his wife against rumours and allegations, accusing the government of seeking to besmirch her name and reputation.

Later he met with Howard Beach residents and joined in defending the community against allegations of racism.

President Clinton tried once again tonight to stop the past from consuming his Presidency, as he defended himself against new Republican allegations in the Whitewater affair.