White House ballroom project temporarily halted by judge

The White House ballroom project has been temporarily halted by a US judge, who has ruled that proper procedures were not followed before the project began.

Federal judge Richard J Leon ruled on Tuesday with a 35-page opinion that construction must stop on the new East Wing Modernisation Project, which includes the massive ballroom, and seek Congressional approval.

"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families," said the ruling.