Attorney-General defiant on cash for honours

Published on Monday 23 April 2007 00:55

LORD Goldsmith, the Attorney-General, yesterday insisted he would not give up his power to have the final say on whether prosecutions are brought in the cash-for-honours case.

He also hinted an investigation could be launched into the police handling of the inquiry once the case has run its course. He spoke out amid anger in Westminster over apparent leaks from the inquiry to the media, which he denounced as unhelpful. Critics have urged Lord Goldsmith to stand aside, alleging a conflict of interest because he is a member of the Cabinet and former Labour donor who was elevated to the Lords by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

But Lord Goldsmith insisted yesterday that he would judge the case for a prosecution "objectively, on the evidence, independently from government". He said he was unable to stand aside because the law requires his consent before certain charges are brought, and because he is the only figure accountable to parliament for the actions of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Lord Goldsmith's comments come as the CPS prepares to scrutinise a 216-page file handed over by the Metropolitan Police on Friday.

As many as five members of Mr Blair's inner circle are being considered for possible prosecution, including his chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, and Labour's chief fundraiser, Lord Levy.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald, stepped aside because he used to work with Mr Blair's wife, Cherie Booth, QC. But Lord Goldsmith rejected suggestions that his own ties created a conflict of interest. "Any decision will be taken objectively, on the evidence, independently of government."

David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "[Lord Goldsmith] is a politician and a peer; he was made a peer by Tony Blair. None of that is wrong, but he should not be involved in this decision."

And in a television interview yesterday, the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell,

said: "[Lord Goldsmith] will do much for this whole process if he takes independent advice and acts upon that independent advice."