See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy EIRIAN JANE PROSSER, SENIOR REPORTER Published: 15:15 BST, 25 June 2026 | Updated: 15:18 BST, 25 June 2026
Investigators at the Hague have called for the International Criminal Court's prosecutor Karim Khan to be sacked following allegations of sexual misconduct with a junior colleague.The British barrister was suspended two weeks ago by the ICC and the Bar Standards Board, stopping him from practising in England and Wales, two years after claims of an inappropriate relationship were first made.It has now emerged that the court's oversight body has recommended to its 125 state members that Khan be fired from his role.According to a 27-page document seen by Reuters, the vote will take place on July 24. At least 63 of the member states would need to agree to pass his dismissal.The 56-year-old lawyer has repeatedly denied the allegations. His lawyers told the agency that the plan to sack him is 'is unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence'.The lawyers went on to cite a review made by judges, which found the evidence insufficient to prove the allegations 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. Karim Khan was suspended two weeks ago by the ICC and the Bar Standards Board, stopping him from practising in England and Wales, two years after claims of an inappropriate relationship were first madeThe bureau had initially set up an advisory board of three external judges as part of a yearlong U.N. investigation commissioned by the court. Yet they concluded that it did not have enough evidence to make a decision.Instead, the member states will have to decide Khan's fate. Khan's firm has criticised the bureau overruling the panel of external judges.They added in a previous statement: 'Our client highlights that an independent judicial panel, appointed by the bureau itself, came to the unanimous conclusion that the evidence and factual findings by the U.N. 'Office of Internal Oversight "did not establish misconduct or breach of duty under the relevant legal framework".'Nevertheless, the Bureau an executive and political body has purported to substitute its own assessment for that of the independent judges it appointed.' A copy of the decision, seen by Reuters, showed: 'The evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the prosecutor (...) engaged in a sexual relationship with (the victim),.'The documents stated that the relationship between Mr Khan and the female lawyer began in March 2023.The relationship then 'escalated over time and that, in the context of that power imbalance, a sexual relationship could never be appropriate'.It added that Khan had committed a serious breach of duty and misconduct.The U.N. file reportedly said: 'His behaviour escalated over time, resulting in him engaging in non-consensual sexual contact with her in his office, at his private residence and whilst on mission.'It then recommended 'removal from office of the elected official, prosecutor Karim Khan'.Khan's time at the ICC has been controversial, particularly after he announced he was seeking an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.As a result, the United States issued sanctions to 11 ICC judges and prosecutors, including Khan.The Daily Mail has contacted Khan and the ICC for comment.
