'I, myself, deeply regret what happened': Monica Lewinsky breaks a decade of silence to speak of Clinton affair

After a decade of silence Monica Lewinsky has decided to speak out about her affair with President Bill Clinton.

Writing an exclusive tell-all column for Vanity Fair the 40-year-old said: 'it's time to burn the beret and bury the blue dress.'

She revealed: 'I, myself, deeply regret what happened between me and President Clinton. Let me say it again: I. Myself. Deeply. Regret. What. Happened.'

The scandal led to Clinton's impeachment in 1998 and gave the former White House intern noteriety around the world.

[ Liz Hurley Reacts To Bill Clinton Affair Reports]

But the affair in the 1990s occurred between two consenting adults, she said.

She added: 'Sure, my boss took advantage of me, but I will always remain firm on this point: it was a consensual relationship. Any 'abuse' came in the aftermath, when I was made a scapegoat in order to protect his powerful position.'

Lewinsky remained in the media spotlight during and after the scandal broke. She launched a line of handbags, appeared in television adverts for diet company Jenny Craig and was the host of a reality television dating program.

[New Hillary Clinton memoir set for June 10 release]

But in 2005 she abruptly changed course and moved to London to study social psychology. She has remained silent ever since - until now.

Bill Clinton's career took a decidly different course. He stayed in office to fulfil his second term until 2001 and publicly supported his wife Hillary Clinton for her bid to become president in 2008.

It is widely believed Hillary Clinton will make another play for President in 2016.

The full article will appear in the June issue of Vanity Fair available online from May 8.

We take a look at how the dramatic events unfolded in the 1990s: