Woman said to have been pressed to withdraw ICC sex claims

Contacted by the Guardian for comment, Khan denied asking the woman to withdraw any allegations. His lawyers said: "Our client denies the whole of the allegations and we are most concerned the exposure of a confidential and closed internal matter is designed to undermine his high-profile ongoing work at a delicate time."

After reports of alleged sexual misconduct began to circulate in the media in recent days, Khan denied the claims in a public statement that said he and the court had been "subject to a wide range of attacks and threats".

In anonymous briefings, court officials close to the prosecutor have suggested he might have been the target of a smear campaign.

"There is no truth to suggestions of such misconduct," Khan's statement said. "I have worked in diverse contexts for 30 years and there has never been such a complaint lodged against me by anyone."

The woman at the heart of the allegations – whom ICC colleagues describe as a well-regarded lawyer in her 30s who worked directly for Khan – has declined requests for comment.