Tommy Tuberville blocks promotion of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin’s top aide

Senator concerned over Lt Gen Ronald P Clark's alleged role in lack of transparency' around Austin's hospitalization

The Republican US senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking the promotion of an army general and top aide to Lloyd Austin, the US defense secretary, citing concerns about the military leader's alleged role in the lack of transparency surrounding Austin's hospitalization earlier this year.

The army general in question, Lt Gen Ronald P Clark, has been nominated to become the four-star commander of all US army forces in the Pacific. But the Alabama senator and retired college football coach is holding up the promotion, according to the Washington Post.