President Clinton came to the White House press room yesterday to announce the impending resignation of his press secretary, Mr Mike McCurry, and his replacement by his deputy, Mr Joe Lockhart, writes Joe Carroll, from Washington. There had been rumours since early this year that Mr McCurry wanted to pursue a better-paid career elsewhere after three years as Mr Clinton's spokesman but the news of his departure came as a surprise. He will stay on until Congress rises next October before the November mid-term elections.
Mr McCurry dismissed speculation yesterday that he had decided to resign because of the Monica Lewinsky investigation.