Philip Crowley, U.S. State Department spokesperson, resigned after he called the Pentagon’s treatment of Bradley Manning, a U.S. soldier accused of leaking secret documents on the WikiLeaks website “stupid” and “ridiculous.”

Manning, 23, is being held at a Marine base in Virginia during the investigation of charges. He is being accused of leaking documents while posted in Iraq. His lawyers have complained that he is being mistreated at the Marine brig.

Kept alone in his cell 23 hours per day, the Pentagon has said Manning has been forced to sleep naked and is awakened repeatedly during the night to ensure he is safe. A letter from Manning's lawyer details treatment of the Army private that includes him being stripped naked, held in solitary confinement and allegedly harassed by prison guards.

During an MIT seminar last week, Crowley, a retired Air Force colonel said Manning was being "mistreated."

"What is being done to Bradley Manning is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid on the part of the Department of Defense," Crowley said, ThirdAge reports.

“It is with regret that I have accepted the resignation of Philip J. Crowley as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. PJ has served our nation with distinction for more than three decades, in uniform and as a civilian. His service to country is motivated by a deep devotion to public policy and public diplomacy, and I wish him the very best. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) Michael Hammer will serve as Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.