Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin apologises for secretive hospital stay

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has apologised after failing to notify the chain of command when he was secretly admitted to a hospital in December.

Mr Austin, 70, was released earlier this month as he continues to recover from treatment for prostate cancer.

"I did not handle this right," he said. "I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis."

Pentagon chiefs are supposed to be available at a moment's notice to handle any national security crisis.

"I take full responsibility and I apologise to my teammates and to the American people," said Mr Austin at a news conference on Thursday.

"As a rule I don't talk about conversations with my boss, but I can tell you I've apologised directly to President Biden.

"And I've told him that I'm deeply sorry for not letting him know immediately that I received a heavy diagnosis and was getting treatment."

Mr Austin said he had never directed anyone in his staff to hide his time in hospital from the White House or the public.

The defence secretary is just below the president in the chain of command for the US military, and is regarded as one of the most important members of the Cabinet.

Mr Austin had surgery to treat prostate cancer in late December. But he was readmitted to hospital on New Year's Day because of complications related to the procedure.

Senior defence officials and the White House did not learn that Mr Austin was seriously ill until three days after his re-admission.

President Biden has said he remains confident in his secretary's leadership, but that it was "sub-optimal" that he had not disclosed the seriousness of his illness.

This is a developing news story. More updates to follow.