Tom DeLay, the Republican majority leader in the US House of Representatives, has been charged with criminal conspiracy by a grand jury in Texas. Mr DeLay has relinquished his post but not his seat in Congress.

The second-ranking, and most assertive Republican leader, was accused of a criminal conspiracy with two associates, John Colyandro, a former executive director of a Texas political action committee formed by Mr DeLay, and Jim Ellis, who heads Mr DeLay’s national political committee.

"I have notified the speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County district attorney today," Mr DeLay said.

The White House called Mr DeLay a "good ally," and said President George W. Bush still considered him a friend and effective leader in Congress.

Republican congressional officials said that Speaker Dennis Hastert will recommend that Reublican David Dreier of California step into Mr DeLay's duties as majority leader. The Republican rank and file may meet as early as tonight to act on Mr Hastert’s recommendation.

Criminal conspiracy is a state felony punishable by six months to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000 ($8,300). The potential two-year sentence forces Mr DeLay to step down under House Republican rules.

At the White House, the press secretary Scott McClellan said the president still considers Mr DeLay "a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people". "I think the president’s view is that we need to let the legal process work," Mr McClellan said.

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