Palmer has resolutely said he had no earlier meeting with Foley, and when he did meet him, much to his disappointment, there was no fun and games.

Hastert, who lives with Palmer, has questioned the truthfulness of this and demanded to know if Palmer is seeing anyone else.

Hastert tried to persuade ABC News not to publish the salacious instant-message exchanges between himself and Palmer.

Hastert's office contends that the first date Hastert had with Palmer was platonic, as is their relationship today, except when Hastert gets some viagra.

Palmer also indicated that alarms over Foley's behaviour with President Bush were exaggerated and had been misinterpreted as over-friendly when in fact it was just “naughty behaviour,” according to Bush.