This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7810777.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Obama commerce nominee pulls out Obama commerce nominee pulls out
(10 minutes later)
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn as US President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary, US media reports say. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn as US President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary.
Mr Richardson's decision was linked to a pending investigation into a company which has done business with his state, NBC news reported. Mr Richardson's decision was linked to a pending investigation into a company which has done business with his state.
The NBC news website quoted Mr Richardson as denying any wrongdoing. In a joint statement, Mr Obama said he had accepted Mr Richardson's decision to withdraw "with deep regret".
It also quoted Mr Obama as saying he had accepted Mr Richardson's decision to withdraw "with deep regret". Mr Richardson denied any wrongdoing but said that the inquiry could take months and he could not allow the commerce department's work to be delayed.
Mr Richardson said in a statement issued by Mr Obama's office that he had asked for his name to be taken out of the Senate confirmation process with "great sorrow". "Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that the investigation will bear out that fact," Mr Richardson's statement said.
The investigation into the firm concerned could take weeks or even months, he said, and he could not allow Mr Obama to delay the work of the commerce department during that time. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."
He had asked for his name to be withdrawn with "great sorrow", Mr Richardson said, adding that he would continue in his present role as governor.
Mr Obama is to be sworn in as the new US president on 20 January.Mr Obama is to be sworn in as the new US president on 20 January.