Police are expected to close an investigation into sex offence allegations against Israel’s Energy Minister Silvan Shalom — but his presidential campaign may have suffered a terminal blow nonetheless.

A woman identified only as M, a former Science Ministry employee, complained last week that he had pressured her to have sexual relations with her in his Jerusalem hotel room in 1998.

Mr Shalom, who was questioned on Tuesday, denied the allegations. Due to the 10-year limitation on sex crimes, he cannot be indicted unless there are complaints of more recent incidents. Mr Shalom had been expected to announce his intention to stand for the presidency in the coming days.