'Kelly Sadler apologies to McCain family for "inappropriate" comment'

Kelly Sadler, a White House communication aide, has apologised to the McCain family for making an "inappropriate" comment against Senator John McCain, who is suffering from brain cancer, a presidential spokesperson said today.

"I was told Kelly Sadler called the McCain family late last week and did apologise," White House Deputy Principal Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters during a news conference.

During an internal meeting last week, Sadler reportedly dismissed McCain's opposition to the nomination of Gina Haspel for the CIA director, saying "It does not matter, he is dying anyway".

The Senator from Arizona is undergoing treatment after he was diagnosed with cancer last July.

"I wasn't on the call. I was told she made it prior to the story being published. She apologised for the comment," Shah told reporters, sidestepping multiple questions on the White House apology.