US navy discharges Biden's son over cocaine use

The son of US Vice-President Joe Biden was discharged from the US navy reserve earlier this year after testing positive for cocaine, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The sources, who were not authorized to speak on the record, said Hunter Biden tested positive for cocaine in a drug test administered in June 2013.

Navy spokesman Commander Ryan Perry confirmed that Biden was discharged from the reserve in February, but added that privacy laws prevented him from releasing any details.

Perry said Biden was selected for a direct commission in the navy reserve as a part-time ensign in 2012 and was assigned to a public affairs unit in Norfolk, Virginia, in May 2013.

Biden, 44, a partner at an investment firm, said he regretted the incident.

In a statement, the vice-president's younger son acknowledged his discharge and expressed regret.

"It was the honor of my life to serve in the US navy, and I deeply regret and am embarrassed that my actions led to my administrative discharge," he said in the statement, issued through his lawyer.

"I respect the navy's decision. With the love and support of my family, I'm moving forward."

There was no public response from the vice-president's office.

The expulsion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The news of Hunter Biden's discharge follows a series of embarrassing incidents for the US vice-president, who recently had to apologize to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates after he said they had financed Sunni jihadists.

Reuters - AFP

(China Daily 10/18/2014 page12)