US President George W Bush favours White House counsel Alberto Gonzales to replace Attorney General John Ashcroft, according to reports.

Gonzales, a former Texas supreme court justice, was named White House counsel in January 2001. He had also served as Texas' secretary of state.

If confirmed, Gonzales will be the first Hispanic American to hold the post.

Ashcroft, who had been under fire from pro-immigrant groups for his "tough tactics" since 9/11, resigned on Tuesday.

He said in his handwritten letter to Bush that the Justice Department would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration.

"I believe that my energies and talents should be directed toward other challenging horizons," he said.