Paul Wolfowitz's tenure aspresident of the World Bank is effectively over. This may be unfair, but life is sometimes unfair. His situation recalls that of Ruud Lubbers, the former Dutch prime minister who resigned two years ago as the United Nations high commissioner for refugees after being accused by an employee of sexual harassment.

The accusation could probably not have been proved in a court but, combined with other allegations and Mr Lubbers' own clumsy reaction, it became a massive distraction from the agency's work to help refugees. It created an atmosphere in which he could no longer provide effective leadership.