By BRIAN FLYNN
in New York

THIS is the girl at the centre of a sex scandal that threatens
Democratic front-runner John Kerry's run for the White House.

Presidential hopeful Kerry, dubbed the new JFK, has denied claims he
had a two-year fling with brunette Alex Polier. Alex, 27, was a
cross-country runner and in the world affairs club at her Philadelphia
school.

One source said: "She was attractive, intelligent and one of the
leaders in her year."

She went on to graduate from Columbia University, New York, and met
Kerry, 60, as she began a career as a freelance journalist.



Denial ... John Kerry


But a probe was under way yesterday into allegations that twice-wed
Kerry seduced her after inviting her to join his campaign team in
spring 2001.

There is no evidence to support the claims. Dad-of-two Kerry was set
to seal the nomination to take on George Bush in the November election
when the allegations surfaced.

Alex, who is in Africa with her fiancé Yaron Schwartzman, refused to
comment.