By DPA
Washington : Embattled US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has stepped down after months of controversy over the sacking of eight federal prosecutors and alleged abuse of the country’s anti-terrorism laws, it was reported Monday.
US television networks reported the development, citing a high-ranking official in the White House.
There was as yet no official confirmation, but the television reports said that President George W. Bush was to make a statement at 1630 GMT.
Both opposition Democrats as well as people from Bush’s own Republican party had lately been demanding that Gonzales, the country’s top lawmaker, be sacked.
In July Senate Democrats called for a perjury investigation into Gonzales, 52, alleging that he had offered contradictory statements in testimony before congressional panels investigating the allegedly politically motivated firing of federal prosecutors.
Gonzales had also come in for sharp criticism for allegedly overstepping the bounds permitted in the anti-terrorism laws in permitting surveillance of US citizens.
The New York Times in its online edition, citing a “senior administration official,” said Gonzales would announce his resignation Monday morning.
Gonzales submitted his resignation to Bush Friday, the source said. Bush had stood by his long time aide and head of the Justice Department, despite the calls that he should resign.
Two weeks ago another trusted Bush aide, Karl Rove, the president’s deputy chief of staff and senior adviser, also announced his resignation.