Rumsfeld loses his spokeswoman

US Defence Department spokeswoman Victoria Clarke, familiar to global TV viewers for Iraq war briefings, has resigned.

Clarke is leaving the position of assistant secretary for public affairs for “personal reasons”, the department said.

She held the job for two years, arriving the summer before the September 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centre.

“I depart sadly because this has been the best professional experience of my life,” she said. “It has been a true honour working for the men and women of the US military.”

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called Clarke “a gifted communicator,” praising her office for its efforts “to tell the story of our fighting force and bring their courage, dedication and professionalism into sharp focus for all Americans.”

Clarke found herself under fire during her Iraq war briefings – not for the content but for her attire.

Critics accused her of having the world’s worst dress sense.