Dominique Strauss-Kahn was a step closer to becoming managing director of the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday after the UK explicitly swung behind the former French finance minister.

Britain, which had accused Paris of railroading the French socialist’s candidacy without following formal procedures, joined the European Union in supporting Mr Strauss-Kahn to take over from Rodrigo Rato when he steps down after the annual meetings of the IMF/World Bank in October.