More than 40 senior former World Bank officials called today for the immediate resignation of its embattled leader Paul Wolfowitz, saying he had lost trust and respect.
In a letter to the Financial Times, the 42 ex-employees called for change following revelations that the bank's president used his influence to ensure a favourable job and salary for his girlfriend.
'We believe that he can no longer be an effective leader,' said the letter, which was signed by staff including four former senior vice presidents and 14 ex-vice presidents.
The letter said Wolfowitz had lost the trust of bank staff at all levels, developed tense relations with the board, damaged his own credibility on good governance and alienated some key shareholders when their support is essential for a successful replenishment of the resources needed to help the poorest countries.
Wolfowitz, a former US deputy defence secretary pivotal in decisions leading to the Iraq war, ordered a salary worth nearly $200,000 for his bank employee girlfriend, Shaha Riza, in 2005.
It left him open to accusations of hypocrisy as he steers a controversial campaign against corruption in the World Bank's $24-billion annual lending.
