A judge in Nicaragua has said that a sexual abuse complaint filed by the stepdaughter of the former President Daniel Ortega cannot proceed because the Sandinista leader is immune from prosecution as a member of parliament.The judge, Martha Quezada, said the case would be stalled until the National Assembly decided whether to lift Mr Ortega's immunity.

His stepdaughter, thirty-year-old Zoilamerica Narvaez, has said Mr Ortega repeatedly abused her from the age of eleven.

The Sandinistas and Mr Ortega's family say her accusations stem from political and personal motives.