All criminal charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn were dropped in a New York court on Tuesday, handing a victory to the former International Monetary Fund chief and opening the door for his possible return to French politics.

The ruling by Judge Michael Obus came after Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan district attorney, recommended that the charges be dismissed because of concerns about the credibility of Mr Strauss-Kahn’s accuser, Nafissatou Diallo. “We did not arrive at nor did we take the decision to recommend dismissal in this or any case lightly,” Joan Illuzi-Orbon, assistant district attorney, said at the hearing

Judge Obus said: “The court well understands that there are those who have differing views to say the least” about Mr Strauss-Kahn’s case. Mr Strauss-Kahn was flanked by his lawyers and his wife looked on as the judge spoke. He said in a statement that the ordeal had been a “nightmare”.