The World Bank's president Paul Wolfowitz is facing calls for his resignation after it was revealed that a promotion was awarded to his girlfriend. Mr Wolfowitz said the way he handled the matter was a mistake and he apologised. This report from Justin Webb:

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The World Bank Staff Association claims that she received preferential treatment on the orders of Mr Wolfowitz. He doesn't accept that, but he does accept that he made mistakes in handling the issue and he's apologised. Still, the Staff Association wants him to resign.

Even before this crisis, Mr Wolfowitz's leadership of the bank had been highly controversial. He clashed frequently with insiders who regarded his management style and his policies as unacceptable, in particular, his insistence that bank help for poor nations be tied in future to their willingness to root out corruption.

Justin Webb, BBC News, Washington

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took over the presidency
became president, assumed leadership of the bank

seconded
transferred to another position in a different company/department while still remaining an employee of your original company/department

promotion
raising to a higher position in your job

claims
says (but there is no way to prove that what is being said is true)

received preferential treatment
was treated better than others

handling
dealing with

to resign
to give up his job, to stop being the bank's president

highly controversial
causing strong feelings of disapproval and disagreement

clashed
disagreed and argued

to root out corruption
to expose and stop morally wrong and/or illegal practices by people in positions of authority or power

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