The other, a subordinate of Mr Lubbers, said he had seen nothing at all. After much soul-searching and discussion with friends and colleagues, the complainant ­ described by colleagues as mature and professional ­ decided she was so angry and humiliated that she could not remain silent. She wrote a letter of complaint to the UN's internal watchdog, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).In April 2004, the OIOS sent two investigators to Geneva. Over the coming months the inquiry would speak to a number of women, past and present employees or affiliates of UNCHR. Four alleged improper conduct on the part of Mr Lubbers, but none of these women had filed complaints or taken any other action.

These interviews led the OIOS to conclude there was a "pattern of sexual harassment" but, despite guarantees of anonymityfrom the OIOS, none of the women questioned would present signed testimony.Upon being notified of the complaint, the investigators' report states, Mr Lubbers sought to discuss it with potential witnesses. "His actions may well have influenced the statements of at least two of his subordinates," the report concluded.It says that Mr Lubbers arranged for the UNHCR inspector general's office to find out who was helping them, despite their request for him not to do so.While the inquiry was still under way, on 28 May, Mr Lubbers issued a note to staff putting his spin on the complaint, in a move interpreted by a senior manager as trying to get them to "shut up". He also appointed a top libel lawyer to stamp on any attempts to report leaks from the investigation.The OIOS concluded a damning report on the conduct of Mr Lubbers, which was sent on 24 May to Kofi Annan. The UN secretary general, already rocked by another scandal over the Iraqi oil-for-food programme, consulted lawyers outside the organisation. The UN chief concluded that the evidence was insufficient to take further action and the report was buried. The accused former prime minister has let it be known that he will step down at the end of his term in 2005.. One of the United Nations' most senior officials is likely to face fresh pressure to resign over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation after The Independent obtained a confidential internal report into the claims.

The secret document has never before been released.Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general, took internal and external legal advice after studying the 15-page report on the allegations, before deciding he was unable to take action against Mr Lubbers. Instead, he issued him with a strong warning about his conduct.As high commissioner, Mr Lubbers, 65, formerly the longest serving Dutch prime minister, is responsible for marshalling the aid effort for the world's 17 million refugees. The investigation ­ carried out by the UN's office for internal oversight services (OIOS) ­ began after a complaint of sexual harassment by a female employee at the refugee agency. She alleged Mr Lubbers placed his hands on her waist, pulled her back towards him and pressed his groin into her at the end of a meeting with male colleagues in Geneva on 18 December 2003.In its note to the secretary general, the report says: "Mr Lubbers did engage in unwanted physical contact with a subordinate female staff member. New allegations that came to the OIOS's attention during the investigation were also examined and indicate a pattern of sexual harassment by Mr Lubbers."It continues: "OIOS is also of the view that Mr Lubbers abused his authority as high commissioner by his intense, pervasive and intimidating attempts to influence the outcome of this investigation."As part of their inquiry, the investigators, led by Dileep Niar, the under-secretary general for internal oversight services, learnt of several other instances of alleged sexual misconduct. Four women subsequently agreed to be questioned on condition of anonymity, saying they were afraid of "retaliation and public humiliation". They declined to make official complaints.Woman A told the OIOS she was invited to Mr Lubbers' home with others to discuss work.