In a rare move, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has fired Navy chief Richard Spencer over his handling of a Navy SEAL’s case that has pitted military leaders against President Donald Trump.

The case is related to Edward Gallagher, who was convicted for posing with a corpse in Iraq in 2017. For that Gallagher was demoted but President Trump later reinstated his rank. Trump intervened in his case and issued a pardon on November 15. Trump has drawn criticism from parts of the military after pardoning Army officers convicted of war crimes.

Esper on Sunday said he lost confidence in Spencer after finding out the Navy chief had tried to end the dispute behind his back. “I am deeply troubled by this conduct shown by a senior Department of Defence official,” Esper said in a statement. “Unfortunately, as a result I have determined that Secretary Spencer no longer has my confidence to continue in his position. I wish Richard well,” he said.

Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley spoke with President Donald Trump on Friday about Gallagher’s case.

Gallagher was acquitted in his court martial of war crimes charges that included shooting civilians and murdering a captured ISIS fighter. He was convicted of the lesser charge of posing with the corpse. During the conversation, Esper learned that Spencer had previously and privately proposed to the White House – contrary to Spencer’s public position – to restore Gallagher’s rank and allow him to retire with his Trident pin, the special warfare insignia. Trump supported the decision of his Defence Secretary.