US defense secretary Lloyd Austin apologises for secret hospitalisation: 'I did not handle this right'

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday (Feb 1) apologised for hiding his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Joe Biden and the government stating that he did not handle the situation rightly.

"I want to be crystal clear. We did not handle this right and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public and I take full responsibility," Austin said.

"I apologize to my teammates and to the American people," he added.

He then said that he had directly apologised to President Biden.

"I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis," he told journalists. "I have apologised directly to President Biden."

'Did not direct staff to conceal hospitalisation'

Austin claimed that he did not direct his "staff to conceal hospitalisation from anyone" further adding that he had not considered resigning. However, he admitted, "We did not get this right."

Elucidating his current health condition in his address, he said that he was still recovering and has limited use of one leg. He then said that he was using a golf cart to get around the Pentagon building.

"I'm recovering well, but as you can see, I'm still recovering. I'm still having some leg pain and doing physical therapy to get past it. I'm deeply grateful to my doctors and the nursing staff at Walter Reed, and I very much appreciate all the good wishes," the Pentagon chief said.

Earlier, on Jan 29, Austin made his very first appearance at the Pentagon a day after three US soldiers were killed in drone strikes at a military base in Jordan.

According to reports, he met the secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, and senior defence officials, including Gen. Charles Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Austin's secret hospitalisation

The 70-year-old underwent surgery on Dec 22 to treat prostate cancer and came back home the same day.

However, he was again hospitalised on Jan 1 for complications including nausea and severe pain and was discharged on Jan 15.

"The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the statement said. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities."

Austin had kept his cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Biden and senior officials a secret until January.

His mishandling of the situation was a violation of the protocol for top-ranking cabinet officials, who reportedly have to inform well in advance of planned medical absences and identify the one who would be filling in for them.

He had earlier released a statement saying that he "could have done a better job" and took "full responsibility" for the secrecy over his hospitalisation.

(With inputs from agencies)