Bush calls for "thorough" probe into Republican sex scandal

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday that he was "disgusted" by sexually explicit messages sent by a former Republican lawmaker to teenage congressional aides in his first comment on the growing scandal.

"I was dismayed and shocked to learn about Congressman (Mark) Foley's unacceptable behavior," Bush said during a visit at an elementary school in Stockton, California.

"I was disgusted by the revelations and disappointed that he would violate the trust of the citizens that placed him in office, " he said, adding that "This investigation should be thorough and any violation of the law should be prosecuted."

Bush said he is confident that House Speaker Dennis Hastert " will provide whatever leadership he can to law enforcement in this investigation," Bush said.

Source: Xinhua