WASHINGTON, July 12: Tony Snow, a former White House spokesman and veteran radio and television journalist, has died following a long battle with cancer, his former employer said on Saturday. He was 53.

Snow was a commentator on the Fox News network when he was named President George W. Bush’s chief spokesman in May 2006. He stepped down in September after 16 months on the job.

“America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character,” Bush said in a statement.—AFP