The former Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega, has appeared in court to claim parliamentary immunity against sex abuse charges brought by his stepdaughter.

Mr Ortega, who was accompanied by his wife Rosario Murillo, said the accusations were a plot to undermine him and the Sandinista party.

He presented documents to the judge showing his membership of the National Assembly and his immunity from prosecution.

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

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