Former US President Ford dies

Betty Ford, the wife of former US president Gerald Ford, issued a statement yesterday confirming that her husband had passed away aged 93.

Mr Ford was president from 1974 to 1976 after taking over from Richard Nixon, who resigned as a consequence of the 'Watergate scandal'.

He was never elected as president and lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976, which some commentators attributed to his decision to pardon Nixon on all charges during Watergate.

The infamous Watergate scandal involved a break-in at Nixon's opposition Democrat headquarters and allegations of wiretapping, which went all the way to the top.

Mrs Ford noted in a statement that her husband's life had been "full of love for God, family and country".

In a written statement, President George Bush expressed his sadness at the death of the 38th president of the US.

"With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the presidency," the statement read.
"The American people will always admire Gerald Ford's devotion to duty, his personal character and the honourable conduct of his administration."

Details for Mr Ford's funeral will be released by the US military district of Washington public affairs office in the near future.