today

World Bank president's alleged affair with Shaha Ali Riza is only one factor. Neighbours in the predominantly Democratic neighbourhood near American University, where Ms Riza lives, complained to The Washington Post of late night visits from Mr Wolfowitz and his 24-hour security detail. "It's an international neighborhood and he's the icon for a fabulously expensive, tragic war. It's the one thing we talk about now," one told the newspaper.

Riza has seen her salary rise by more than $60,000 ("grossly out of line with the rules") since her move to the State Department, where she is still paid by the bank, more than the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

Mr Wolfowitz has been criticised for marginalising long-standing bank officials and compromising the apolitical role of the bank by surrounding himself with aides closely identified with the Bush Administration.

The campaign against corruption has been criticised by bank supporters, including the UK, for being vague and sparing problematic American allies, such as Tajikistan, while suspending aid to projects in places like India and Kenya. Last September, Mr Wolfowitz received an unprecedented rebuke from the bank's ruling development committee, which forced him to water down the proposals.

In a strongly worded editorial, the Financial Times also told Mr Wolfowitz to stand down. Calling the controversy "lethal" to the bank's credibility, the paper's leader column said: "In the interests of the bank itself, he should resign. If he does not, the board must ask him to go."

IMO: Sack the worthless scumbag. We do not pay for our money to be wasted by his sort.