Criticism of United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is growing, after it emerged his deputy was unaware that he was in hospital despite assuming some of his responsibilities.
Kathleen Hicks was not informed until January 4 that Austin was in intensive care, four days after he entered hospital according to US media reports.
The Pentagon said 70-year-old Austin resumed his full duties on Friday evening but questions are swirling around the secrecy of his medical situation.
The defence secretary sits just below the president in the chain of command for the US military and the Pentagon’s failure to disclose Austin’s illness has raised concerns about a lack of transparency as for three days, senior defence officials and even the White House were not aware of Austin’s hospital visit.
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