A White House spokesman has been suspended for a week without pay after allegedly threatening to "destroy" a female reporter who was asking questions about his private life.

The suspension of Mr Ducklo, the White House deputy press secretary, came after Vanity Fair magazine reported on his alleged threats to Ms Palmeri.

The Politico reporter had been investigating Mr Ducklo's relationship with Alexi McCammond, a journalist with Axios who had covered Mr Biden's election campaign. *

He allegedly rang her and said: "I will destroy you". He also made other derogatory and misogynistic comments, Vanity Fair reports.

White House press secretary Jen Pskai said on Friday that Mr Ducklo had apologised to Ms Palmeri. He has not commented independently.

Some observers have criticised President Joe Biden for failing to take stronger action. He has previously said he would fire "on the spot" any staff speaking disrespectfully to colleagues.

President Biden told his staff on his first day in office that he would not tolerate bullying behaviour.

"I'm not joking when I say this: If you ever work with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I will fire you on the spot. No ifs, ands or buts," he said.

White House deputy press secretary TJ Ducklo has resigned, a day after being suspended without pay for allegedly threatening a female reporter.

In the statement posted on Twitter, Mr Ducklo, 32, wrote: "No words can express my regret, my embarrassment and my disgust for my behaviour. I used language that no woman should ever have to hear from anyone, especially in a situation where she was just trying to do her job. It was language that was abhorrent, disrespectful and unacceptable. I am devastated to have embarrassed and disappointed my White House colleagues and President Biden, and after a discussion with White House communications leadership tonight, I resigned my position."

Ms Palmeri has so far made no public comments on the latest developments.