Washington: Former New York police Commissioner Bernard Kerik withdrew his name from consideration to head the massive Homeland Security Department, citing personal reasons, the White House said.

"Commissioner Kerik informed the White House yesterday (Dec 10, 2004) evening that he is withdrawing his name for personal reasons from consideration for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"The President respects his decision and wishes Commissioner Kerik and his wife, Hala, well," he added.

In a letter to President George W Bush, Kerik wrote, "While I will always consider your confidence in me to be the honour of a lifetime, I am convinced that, for personal reasons, moving forward would not be in the best interests of your administration, the Department of Homeland Security, or the American people. I remain firm in my belief that I could have made valuable contributions to the Department and its efforts."

"Under the present circumstances, however, I cannot permit matters personal to me to distract from the focus and progress of the Department of Homeland Security and its crucial endeavours," he added.

Kerik was on December 3, named by Bush to replace Tom Ridge as head of the department created after the September 11attacks to protect the country from future strikes.