Brody's Notes... Secretary Of The Army Corrects His Remarks: Apologises For Misstatements To Press Corps

Justin Fishel   Photo By Fox News Channel

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Apr 2 | Fox News Channel Senior Pentagon correspondent, Justin Fishel, who covers the Pentagon and State Department beats for Fox News; reports that Secretary of the Army John McHugh apologised for mistakenly telling journalists the Department of Defence would place a moratorium on discharges of homosexual servicemembers while the Pentagon conducts a year long study on the impact of changing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.

McHugh's comments to a defence writers group on Wednesday were published on major wire services and newspapers, including the "New York Times" and the "Washington Post". His apology today:

"Yesterday, in response to a series of questions from reporters regarding "Don't Ask Don't Tell", I made several statements that require further comment. "First, while President Obama has asked Congress to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell", it is and remains the law of the land... Second, I was incorrect when I stated that Secretary Gates had placed a moratorium on discharges of homosexual service-members. There is no moratorium of the law and neither Secretary Gates nor I would support one."

Fishel writes in his Fox News Channel  LIVESHOT:  

Meanwhile the Defense Department is also updating a major snag in their study. It quickly came to realize that talking to gay soldiers about their experiences and opinions breaks the first rule of the current policy: DON'T ASK. In that same apology statement McHugh says this:

"Third, with regard to the three soldiers who shared their views and thoughts with me on "Don't Ask Don't Tell", I might better have counseled them that statements about their sexual orientation could not be treated as confidential and could result in their separation under the law."

McHugh's Mea culpa goes on to announce changes.

"The working group is likely to utilize a third party from outside of the department to solicit these views so soldiers can speak candidly and without fear of separation. I urge every soldier to share his or her views and suggestions on this important issue through this channel. This is the appropriate way to do so."