State Dept. spokesman resigns after comments on WikiLeaks suspect

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley is stepping down under pressure from the White House regarding controvesial comments he made about the man accused of leaking secret cables to WikiLeaks, according to a report.

Crowley will step down as early as Sunday afternoon, CNN reported, because administration officials were furious with his suggestion they are mistreating Army Private Bradley Manning, who is being held in solitary confinement in a military prison under suspicion he leaked classified State Department cables to the WikiLeaks website.

{mosads}Last week, before an audience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Crowley was asked about allegations Manning is being tortured.

He responded the government’s treatment of Manning is “ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid,” but added, “nonetheless Bradley Manning is in the right place,” Crowley said, according to reports.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed Crowley departure in a release Sunday afternoon.

“It is with regret that I have accepted the resignation of Philip J. Crowley as assistant secretary of state for public affairs. P.J. has served our nation with distinction for more than three decades, in uniform and as a civilian. His service to country is motivated by a deep devotion to public policy and public diplomacy, and I wish him the very best,” she said.

Crowley also issued a statement, in which he acknowledged his comments about Manning.

“My recent comments regarding the conditions of the pre-trial detention of Private First Class Bradley Manning were intended to highlight the broader, even strategic impact of discreet actions undertaken by national security agencies every day and their impact on our global standing and leadership.

“The exercise of power in today’s challenging times and relentless media environment must be prudent and consistent with our laws and values. Given the impact of my remarks, for which I take full responsibility, I have submitted my resignation,” he said.

Michael Hammer, who came to the State Dept. from the National Security Council at the White House, will replace Crowley, according to a release.

Hammer’s official title will be assistant secretary of state for public affairs and he must be confirmed by the Senate.

Crowley tweeted Sunday afternoon: “Mike Hammer will do a great job as my successor at State. He and I worked together 12 years ago on the NSC staff at the White House.”

BBC reporter Philippa Thomas was in the audience at MIT for Crowley’s speech last week and blogged about his comments, which caused a firestorm on the Internet.

President Obama was asked about them at his press conference on Friday.

He said he had asked the Pentagon Manning’s confinement were “appropriate” and received assurances that it was.

“I can’t go into details about some of their concerns, but some of this has to do with Private Manning’s safety as well,” Obama said.

Amnesty International has called Manning’s treatment “unnecessarily harsh and punitive,” and liberals have also questioned his treatment.

Manning is reportedly confined to a windowless cell for 23 hours a day at the military prison in Quantico, Va.,, is stripped down to his boxers at night and is not given pillows or blankets.

Defense officials claim he is on suicide watch and the procedures are for his safety.

Crowley is considered an expert on international relations and has long been a public face on foreign policy. His ties to the government date back to the Clinton administration, when he was spokesman for the National Security Council.

— This post was last updated at 5:16 p.m.