He went on to Cornell University, where he joined the Zu, an Asians-only fraternity house, and majored in business and marketing.

CNN: NIGHTMARE IN NEW YORK

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, an aristocrat who lives in a Bavarian castle, admitted breaching standards but denied deliberately cheating.

BBC: German minister loses doctorate after plagiarism row

Ms Merkel will look to Mr zu Guttenberg for an electoral lift, but he is beholden to Mr Seehofer, who has been one of her main tormentors since taking over Bavaria in October.

ECONOMIST: A German government shuffle