Libby pleads not guilty in CIA case

LEWIS "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Dick Cheney, the US vice-president, yesterday denied charges brought against him in the investigation into how a CIA operative's identity was leaked to the press in July 2003.

Libby appeared in court yesterday for the first time since a grand jury indicted him last week. He was arraigned at a hearing in Washington DC on five counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements to the FBI and a grand jury.

Ted Wells, Libby's lawyer, said: "He will declare to the world he is innocent. He has declared that he intends to fight the charges in the indictment, he intends to clear his name."

Libby will next appear in court on 3 February, 2006.

One reason for the delay is that his lawyers will need to receive security clearances to allow them to sift though the relevant documents Libby will cite in his defence.

Libby's trial also raises the prospect of senior administration figures, such as Mr Cheney and the president's closest political adviser, Karl Rove, being called as witnesses.

Libby, 55, was charged after an investigation led by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald concluded that he had knowingly and deliberately lied to investigators and the grand jury about his role in the leaking of Valerie Plame's name.

Ms Plame worked at the CIA's Counter-Proliferation Directorate and her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, was a vociferous critic of the Bush administration's use of intelligence in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.

Although Libby could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.25 million (700,000) fine if convicted it is unlikely he would have to serve that amount of time in jail.