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IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn quits over sex charge | IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn quits over sex charge |
(40 minutes later) | |
International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned following allegations he sexually assaulted a hotel maid in New York. | International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned following allegations he sexually assaulted a hotel maid in New York. |
In a statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, said he had already informed the executive board of his intention to step down "with immediate effect". | In a statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, said he had already informed the executive board of his intention to step down "with immediate effect". |
He again firmly denied the criminal charges against him. | He again firmly denied the criminal charges against him. |
Mr Strauss-Kahn - who is being held in New York's Rikers Island prison - is expected to make a new plea for bail. | Mr Strauss-Kahn - who is being held in New York's Rikers Island prison - is expected to make a new plea for bail. |
In the statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board my resignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF. | In the statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board my resignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF. |
"I think at this time first of my wife - whom I love more than anything - of my children, of my family, of my friends. I think also of my colleagues at the Fund; together we have accomplished such great things over the last three years and more. | "I think at this time first of my wife - whom I love more than anything - of my children, of my family, of my friends. I think also of my colleagues at the Fund; together we have accomplished such great things over the last three years and more. |
"To all, I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me. | "To all, I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me. |
"I want to protect this institution which I have served with honour and devotion, and especially - especially - I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence." | "I want to protect this institution which I have served with honour and devotion, and especially - especially - I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence." |
The IMF said it would release information "in the near future" about the appointment of Mr Strauss-Kahn's successor. | The IMF said it would release information "in the near future" about the appointment of Mr Strauss-Kahn's successor. |
The organisation's deputy, John Lipsky, has been in interim control of the IMF since Mr Strauss-Kahn's arrest on Saturday. | The organisation's deputy, John Lipsky, has been in interim control of the IMF since Mr Strauss-Kahn's arrest on Saturday. |
The pressure had been growing on Mr Strauss-Kahn both at home and abroad, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris. | |
The US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner had led the calls for him to stand down, followed by the head of the governing right-wing UMP party in France, Jean-Francois Cope, who said he couldn't see how Mr Strauss-Kahn could carry on. | The US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner had led the calls for him to stand down, followed by the head of the governing right-wing UMP party in France, Jean-Francois Cope, who said he couldn't see how Mr Strauss-Kahn could carry on. |
The prevailing view among analysts and former US Treasury officials is that Washington will back a strong European candidate, our correspondent adds. | The prevailing view among analysts and former US Treasury officials is that Washington will back a strong European candidate, our correspondent adds. |
Bail hearing | Bail hearing |
Mr Strauss-Kahn faces a number of charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 32-year-old maid in New York's Sofitel hotel on 14 May. | Mr Strauss-Kahn faces a number of charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 32-year-old maid in New York's Sofitel hotel on 14 May. |
They are: committing a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. | They are: committing a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. |
Police have removed a piece of carpet from the Sofitel hotel, in search of evidence to support the maid's allegation she was forced into an act of oral sex. | Police have removed a piece of carpet from the Sofitel hotel, in search of evidence to support the maid's allegation she was forced into an act of oral sex. |
Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said on Monday that the defence believes the forensic evidence "will not be consistent with a forcible encounter". | Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said on Monday that the defence believes the forensic evidence "will not be consistent with a forcible encounter". |
On Monday a judge in New York denied Mr Strauss-Kahn bail - despite the offer of a $1m (£618,000) guarantee - saying there was a risk the IMF chief would flee the country. | On Monday a judge in New York denied Mr Strauss-Kahn bail - despite the offer of a $1m (£618,000) guarantee - saying there was a risk the IMF chief would flee the country. |
However, he will make a new plea for bail at a court hearing on Thursday morning, Mr Brafman says. | However, he will make a new plea for bail at a court hearing on Thursday morning, Mr Brafman says. |
A copy of his bail application, href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/19/nyregion/20110519-Strauss-Kahn-Bail-Application.html?ref=nyregion" >published on the website of the New York Times, shows Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers are offering new conditions for bail in an effort to convince the judge that he will not try to flee while he prepares his defence. | |
They include Mr Strauss-Kahn being confined 24 hours a day to a Manhattan address, subject to electronic surveillance. | |
Since being remanded in custody, Mr Strauss-Kahn been placed on suicide watch at Rikers Island, a notorious prison. | Since being remanded in custody, Mr Strauss-Kahn been placed on suicide watch at Rikers Island, a notorious prison. |
Jeffrey Shapiro, lawyer for Mr Strauss-Kahn's accuser, says his client feared for herself and her daughter when she discovered Mr Strauss-Kahn's identity after the incident. | Jeffrey Shapiro, lawyer for Mr Strauss-Kahn's accuser, says his client feared for herself and her daughter when she discovered Mr Strauss-Kahn's identity after the incident. |
He said she had only become aware of Mr Strauss-Kahn's identity "a day later when a friend called her to tell her, 'do you have any idea who this man is who did this to you?'". | He said she had only become aware of Mr Strauss-Kahn's identity "a day later when a friend called her to tell her, 'do you have any idea who this man is who did this to you?'". |
Mr Shapiro said his client was "scared and incredulous". | Mr Shapiro said his client was "scared and incredulous". |
"When she found out this encounter was with a man of great power and wealth she feared not only for herself but more importantly for her daughter." | "When she found out this encounter was with a man of great power and wealth she feared not only for herself but more importantly for her daughter." |
The woman, from the West African nation of Guinea, had now been reunited with her 15-year-old daughter in a "safe place", he added. | The woman, from the West African nation of Guinea, had now been reunited with her 15-year-old daughter in a "safe place", he added. |