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Goldsmith speaks on peers probe Goldsmith could have honours say
(1 day later)
The attorney general has not ruled out having the final say over whether charges are brought in the cash-for-honours inquiry.The attorney general has not ruled out having the final say over whether charges are brought in the cash-for-honours inquiry.
Lord Goldsmith told an audience: "There are a small number of cases where my personal consent is required."Lord Goldsmith told an audience: "There are a small number of cases where my personal consent is required."
His spokesman said it was "too early" to say if that would apply here.His spokesman said it was "too early" to say if that would apply here.
Earlier SNP MP Angus MacNeil, who began the cash-for-honours inquiry, said it would be "unforgivable" for Lord Goldsmith to become involved.Earlier SNP MP Angus MacNeil, who began the cash-for-honours inquiry, said it would be "unforgivable" for Lord Goldsmith to become involved.
The MP said the attorney general's impartiality could be questioned.The MP said the attorney general's impartiality could be questioned.
Other opposition parties also called for Lord Goldsmith - who was appointed by Tony Blair and attends Cabinet - to publicly stand aside from involvement in the probe, claiming he was too closely linked to the prime minister and government.Other opposition parties also called for Lord Goldsmith - who was appointed by Tony Blair and attends Cabinet - to publicly stand aside from involvement in the probe, claiming he was too closely linked to the prime minister and government.
But Lord Goldsmith said any decision would be taken in an "independent and apolitical" manner.But Lord Goldsmith said any decision would be taken in an "independent and apolitical" manner.
'Conflict of interest''Conflict of interest'
Speaking at the Bar Council's annual conference in west London, he said: "There are a small number of cases where my personal consent is required.Speaking at the Bar Council's annual conference in west London, he said: "There are a small number of cases where my personal consent is required.
"I have always made decisions in the public interest, in the interests of justice and absolutely independently out of apolitical interest.""I have always made decisions in the public interest, in the interests of justice and absolutely independently out of apolitical interest."
"We need to wait to see whether the police produce a file for the Crown Prosecution Service, what it is about and what issues there are to consider," he added."We need to wait to see whether the police produce a file for the Crown Prosecution Service, what it is about and what issues there are to consider," he added.
The story so far has involved far too many people with a political interest Simon HughesThe story so far has involved far too many people with a political interest Simon Hughes
Mr MacNeil spoke after reports that Lord Goldsmith could be responsible for making the final decision on whether criminal charges are brought in the investigation.Mr MacNeil spoke after reports that Lord Goldsmith could be responsible for making the final decision on whether criminal charges are brought in the investigation.
He said the matter would be a conflict of interest for the attorney general.He said the matter would be a conflict of interest for the attorney general.
"He must ... publicly declare he will maintain a healthy distance, as would befit anybody with a political relationship with the prime minister."He must ... publicly declare he will maintain a healthy distance, as would befit anybody with a political relationship with the prime minister.
"The police, as far as I have seen, have run a very professional investigation.""The police, as far as I have seen, have run a very professional investigation."
'Visibly independent''Visibly independent'
Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve said he would be "staggered" if Lord Goldsmith decided to prosecute fellow politicians.Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve said he would be "staggered" if Lord Goldsmith decided to prosecute fellow politicians.
"I think it is inevitable that he will not be able to take these decisions himself," he said."I think it is inevitable that he will not be able to take these decisions himself," he said.
Liberal Democrat legal spokesman Simon Hughes added it would be "unacceptable" for the attorney general to be close to the decision on prosecution.Liberal Democrat legal spokesman Simon Hughes added it would be "unacceptable" for the attorney general to be close to the decision on prosecution.
"The story so far has involved far too many people with a political interest," he said."The story so far has involved far too many people with a political interest," he said.
"Only visibly independent decisions will command public confidence.""Only visibly independent decisions will command public confidence."
A spokeswoman for Lord Goldsmith said it was usual for the CPS to consult the attorney general in high profile and complex cases, before making a decision.A spokeswoman for Lord Goldsmith said it was usual for the CPS to consult the attorney general in high profile and complex cases, before making a decision.
"We would expect this to happen in this case, should the police present a file of evidence to the CPS."We would expect this to happen in this case, should the police present a file of evidence to the CPS.
"However it is far too early to speculate on whether he may be required to give his consent to any charges which may arise as a result of the police investigation," she said."However it is far too early to speculate on whether he may be required to give his consent to any charges which may arise as a result of the police investigation," she said.
Lord Goldsmith was made a life peer in 1999, and became the government's chief legal adviser two years later.Lord Goldsmith was made a life peer in 1999, and became the government's chief legal adviser two years later.