US: Mr Tommy Franks, the US general who will lead the invasion of Iraq if war breaks out, is under investigation for abuse of office after allegedly letting his wife attend secret briefings and fly free on military planes, it emerged yesterday.
The investigation has been under way since last year but has only just become public. The allegations were made by at least one junior officer.
"I am aware of the investigation and am co-operating with it," Gen Franks, the head of US central command, told the Washington Post. "It would not be appropriate to comment until it is complete."
The claims are still being examined by the Pentagon inspector general but officials were quoted yesterday as saying some disciplinary action was expected.
However, it is thought unlikely that the 57-year-old general, who grew up in the same small Texas town as President Bush, will be removed from his post.
The general's wife, Cathy, is alleged to have sat in on military briefings involving highly classified material restricted to officers on a "need-to-know" basis.
Gen Franks is also alleged to have assigned her a bodyguard and a junior officer to run errands for her. The inspector general is also checking whether he reimbursed the army when she flew on military aircraft.
On his way up through the ranks, Gen Franks was once an investigator in the inspector general's office where, he said, "I learned that generals are humans and make mistakes."
Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who would decide what, if any, disciplinary action he would face if any wrongdoing is found, expressed his support for the Gen Franks.
"Investigations such as this are not unusual and properly are required whenever the Office of the Inspector General is made aware of an allegation," he said in a statement. "Without commenting on the merits of the investigation, which is not yet before me, I want to emphasise that Gen Franks has my full trust, respect and confidence."
Gen Franks was appointed Central Command Chief in 2000 and led the US forces in the war in Afghanistan.