Bush's Supreme Court choice pulls out

Harriet Miers, George Bush's choice to fill a US Supreme Court vacancy, has withdrawn her nomination.

The choice had been mired in controversy amid allegations of cronyism because of her longtime association with Mr Bush.

"Today, I have reluctantly accepted Harriet Miers's decision to withdraw her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States," Mr Bush said.

"My responsibility to fill this vacancy remains. I will do so in a timely manner."

In a letter to Mr Bush released by the White House, Ms Miers said she was concerned that the Senate confirmation process "presents a burden for the White House and our staff that is not in the best interest of the country".

Many conservatives had demanded she withdraw her nomination because she lacked judicial experience.

As a reason for pulling out, Ms Miers cited the need to maintain privacy of internal records of her White House service that members of Congress wanted to see but Mr Bush wanted to keep confidential.