THE Briton who first drew the world’s attention to the corruption engulfing the United Nations oil for food scheme in Iraq has called for the resignation of Kofi Annan, the UN secretary-general, writes Robert Winnett.

After returning from his latest trip to Iraq last week, Claude Hankes-Drielsma, an adviser to the Iraqi government, believes that the evidence against the UN is so overwhelming that Annan must step down.

“The evidence produced shows beyond doubt that the UN failed in its responsibility to the Iraqi people and the secretary-general’s position is untenable,” said HankesDrielsma, who is a former chairman of the management board of one of the big City accountancy firms.

“The secretary-general is ultimately responsible for the integrity of the UN. Unless he is prepared to take personal responsibility, then the entire reputation of the organisation is threatened,” he said yesterday.

The UN oil for food programme was the largest humanitarian aid scheme ever undertaken. It allowed Saddam Hussein, whose regime was subject to sanctions before he fell last year, to sell oil to buy food and essential supplies under the supervision of the UN. It has emerged that the system was riddled with corruption as Saddam used the sale of oil to “buy” favours from political allies.

Benon Sevan, the Cypriot head of the UN programme, is alleged to have taken backhanders from Saddam and Annan is accused of turning a blind eye. Sevan denies any wrongdoing. At least $20 billion is estimated by the American authorities to have been misappropriated.

Hankes-Drielsma, who started the first investigation into the programme earlier this year for the new Iraqi government, said: “The secretary-general was made aware of the key flaws of the programme yet he did nothing. The UN let down the Iraqi people and leading Iraqis are in no doubt that Annan must go. I have talked to senior Kurds who wrote directly to Annan asking for him to intervene in the scandal, yet he didn’t even respond.”

The White House failed to support Annan’s position after it emerged that a company involved in the oil for food programme had employed and paid Kojo, the secretary-general’s son, while concerns were being raised with the UN about the company’s conduct.

“The issue of Kojo Annan is minor but it indicates the problem where conflicts of interest reign,” said Hankes Drielsma.

The secretary-general has appointed Paul Volcker, a former chairman of the US Federal Reserve, to investigate any UN wrongdoing. An interim report is expected next month.

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