Ms Tripp was the last person to see Vince Foster, the former White House counsel who committed suicide in 1993.

BBC: Profile: Linda Tripp

Ms Fleming's legal team claimed the Section 2.2 of the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act, which renders it an offence to aide, abet, counsel or procure the suicide of another, was unconstitutional.

BBC: Marie Fleming and Tom Curran

Faircloth was active in the Senate probe, often focusing on the suicide of White House Counsel Vince Foster.

CNN: Helms departure opens Senate race in N.C.