Boehner won’t say if Radel should resign

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday declined to say whether Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.) should resign his seat after pleading guilty to cocaine possession.

Radel, a freshman, on Wednesday night announced he was taking a leave of absence to receive inpatient treatment for alcoholism, but he gave no indication he plans to step down.

{mosads}“As you all know, I believe that members of Congress should be held to the highest ethical standards,” Boehner said in his first public comments on the matter. “I think at this point, Mr. Radel ­— the issue is between he, his family and his constituents.”

Radel was busted in a sting by federal law enforcement agents on Oct. 29, but he did not inform Boehner of the situation until Tuesday, shortly before the misdemeanor charge became public.

He has faced calls to resign from some officials in Florida, as well as a local newspaper.