UN bugging inquiry fails

The United Nations has called off an internal inquiry into the discovery of a secret listening device at its European headquarters in Geneva without finding out who planted the bug or when.

Although the device was only found this autumn, the inquiry had already finished and would not be reopened, a UN official said yesterday.

The listening device was found during renovation work in a room known as the Salon Francais – which adjoins a main conference hall – where it could have been used to eavesdrop on private conversations.