Former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn told a French court yesterday he was unaware that female participants at hotel orgies in Paris and Washington were prostitutes.

He and 13 co-defendants are on trial accused of aggravated pimping in connection with a sex ring centred on the Hotel Carlton in Lille.

It is not illegal to pay for sex in France, but it is against the law to solicit or to run a prostitution business.

Mr Strauss-Kahn said yesterday that he did not know of the “prostitutional character” of the women who took part in his orgies.

He faces 10 years in prison and a €1.5 million (£1.1m) fine if convicted.

“I had a very hectic life, with just a few outlets for recreation and these sessions were part of that,” he told the court.

If he had known that they were prostitutes he “would have totally stopped participating in these soirees,” he declared.