White House doctor Ronny Jackson has withdrawn as nominee for secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, labelling allegations against him as "false and fabricated".
The White House sent out a statement on Thursday in which Jackson says he "did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity."
Jackson has faced a series of accusations about his workplace conduct, including that recklessly prescribed drugs and exhibited drunken behaviour.
US President Donald Trump chose Jackson to head the VA last month after abruptly firing Obama administration official David Shulkin.
In a phone interview with Fox & Friends, Trump says Jackson "would have done a great job," but that he saw where his nomination was going.
Trump says he told Jackson: "Welcome to Washington. Welcome to the swamp. Welcome to the world of politics."
Jackson was a surprise choice who has worked as a White House physician since 2006. He faced immediate questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about whether he had the experience to manage the VA, which has 360,000 employees serving nine million veterans.
Jackson met with White House officials on Wednesday following the new round of allegations made by 23 unnamed colleagues and former colleagues, most of whom are still in the military.
Australian Associated Press
