A leaked report on the controversial speech that forced the resignation of Sir Tim Hunt suggests he also praised women scientists.

The Nobel prize-winning scientist was castigated after he said women in laboratories either fell in love with their male colleagues or cried when criticised.

Crucially, it now appears Sir Tim followed his jocular comments with the words 'Now seriously...' before heaping praise on women.

The Nobel prize-winning scientist (pictured right) was castigated after he said women in laboratories either fell in love with their male colleagues or cried when criticised. He later jokily described himself as a 'chauvinist monster'

He also jokingly described himself as a 'chauvinist monster'.

Following widespread criticism of his 'sexist' comments, he resigned from his honorary position at UCL and positions at the Royal Society and the European Research Council.

But last night a report emerged that added crucial context to his remarks to the conference of female science journalists Seoul, South Korea.

According to The Times, a report of the event by a European Commission official who was at the lunch was suppressed by the commission.

He wrote: 'This is the transcript of Sir Tim Hunt's speech, or rather a toast, as precise as I can recall it: 'It's strange that such a chauvinist monster like me has been asked to speak to women scientists. Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticise them they cry. Perhaps we should make separate labs for boys and girls?'

According to the official, Sir Tim immediately said after: 'Now seriously, I'm impressed by the economic development of Korea. And women scientists played, without doubt an important role in it. Science needs women and you should do science despite all the obstacles, and despite monsters like me.'

Professor Richard Dawkins, 74, said the scientist had been victim of 'baying witch-hunt'

A journalist also claimed at the time that Sir Tim had had 'thanked the women for making lunch'. But in the report, the official said this categorically did not happen.

Since his resignation, Sir Tim Hunt has received strong support from the academic community – with eight fellow Nobel laureates coming backing him.

Professor Richard Dawkins, 74, said the scientist had been victim of 'baying witch-hunt'.

While Cambridge academic Mary Beard said she would 'like to smack his bottom' and 'give him a piece of my mind' – but that she wouldn't she 'wouldn't drum him out of the academic town'.

Sir Tim's wife, Professor Mary Collins has since claimed he had little choice but to resign.

She said that while her husband was flying home from the conference, a senior figure at UCL phoned her to say: 'Tim had to resign immediately or be sacked'.

There are now over 2,000 signatures on an online petition to reinstate him to his post at UCL.

Meanwhile, members of the university's governing council are mounting a potential rebellion over the university's handling of the affair – with it now being claimed that talks next month could lead to Sir Tim being reinstated.