White House says Lloyd Austin will stay in job despite ‘lack of transparency’

US defense secretary retains Biden’s confidence, says White House spokesperson after Austin secretly spent three days in hospital

The White House has said that the US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, will stay in his job but noted his “lack of transparency” and called for a review of procedures after he spent three days in hospital without informing the president.

The White House spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, also said that Austin retained Biden’s confidence, and John Kirby, the national security council (NSC) spokesperson, told reporters on Air Force One: “There is no plan for anything other than for Secretary Austin to stay in the job.”