Bush's daughter in trouble with the law, again

WASHINGTON - United States President George Bush's daughter Jenna is in trouble with the law again.

Two weeks after pleading "no contest" in a Texas court to underage drinking, Ms Bush, 19, who is a first-year student at the University of Texas at Austin, is accused of trying to order alcohol on someone else's (valid) ID.

This time, according to police, she was with her twin sister, Barbara, who attends Yale University.

Austin police said that statements were still being taken, and that no decision had been taken on whether charges would be brought against either woman.

The White House refused to comment, saying that it was "a private, family matter".

Police said their officers were called to a Mexican restaurant in south Austin on Tuesday evening, after the Bushes tried to place their order and produced an ID card belonging to someone else.

Restaurants and bars found serving anyone under the legal drinking age ­ which is 21 ­ face punitive fines and the suspension or removal of their alcohol licence.

Barely one month earlier Jenna Bush was caught drinking beer in a central Austin bar with a female friend.

She turned up for her court appearance wearing a low-cut black top, pink Capri trousers and a toe ring. She was ordered to pay $US51.25 ($123) in costs, and sentenced to complete eight hours of community service and an "alcohol awareness" course.

The judge dismissed her, wishing her well. There may be less bonhomie this time.

President Bush and his wife, Laura, have repeatedly asked the media to respect the privacy of their daughters.

Barbara Bush's only claim to media attention until now had been a wildish night out in Manhattan with fellow students.

This, however, is Jenna's third brush with Texas law enforcement.

In January, she was at a party that was broken up by police for underage drinking. While she was not charged, her boyfriend spent the night in prison.

He was picked up the next morning by a secret service car.

- INDEPENDENT