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Goldsmith 'will not overrule CPS' Goldsmith 'will not overrule CPS'
(20 minutes later)
The attorney general will not overrule the Crown Prosecution Service if it wants to charge anyone over the cash for honours probe, the BBC has learned.The attorney general will not overrule the Crown Prosecution Service if it wants to charge anyone over the cash for honours probe, the BBC has learned.
Lord Goldsmith, who has close links to Tony Blair, has come under pressure from opposition parties to step aside.Lord Goldsmith, who has close links to Tony Blair, has come under pressure from opposition parties to step aside.
The Cabinet minister will seek to clarify the position in a letter to the Conservatives, BBC News political editor Nick Robinson says.The Cabinet minister will seek to clarify the position in a letter to the Conservatives, BBC News political editor Nick Robinson says.
Mr Blair, and everyone else involved, have denied any wrongdoing.Mr Blair, and everyone else involved, have denied any wrongdoing.
Demands for clarity over Lord Goldsmith's position have increased following the decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald - a former colleague of Cherie Blair - and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Ian Blair to stand aside from decisions related to the investigation.Demands for clarity over Lord Goldsmith's position have increased following the decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald - a former colleague of Cherie Blair - and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Ian Blair to stand aside from decisions related to the investigation.
In April, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer told MPs the attorney general would not "interfere in the normal course of decisions being made".In April, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer told MPs the attorney general would not "interfere in the normal course of decisions being made".
But Lord Goldsmith has previously declined to comment other than to promise to act in the "interests of justice".But Lord Goldsmith has previously declined to comment other than to promise to act in the "interests of justice".
He is usually consulted by the Crown Prosecution Service over high-profile and particularly complex cases.He is usually consulted by the Crown Prosecution Service over high-profile and particularly complex cases.
No-one chargedNo-one charged
The BBC understands that in a letter to his Conservative shadow, Dominic Grieve, he will say his formal consent for proceedings will not be required if charges are brought under the law forbidding the granting of honours in return for payment, or under the law relating to the declaration of political donations.The BBC understands that in a letter to his Conservative shadow, Dominic Grieve, he will say his formal consent for proceedings will not be required if charges are brought under the law forbidding the granting of honours in return for payment, or under the law relating to the declaration of political donations.
We will see whether this statement silences the critics BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
He does, however, have to give formal consent to a small number of offences, including corruption.He does, however, have to give formal consent to a small number of offences, including corruption.
In these circumstances, he is meant to determine whether it is "in the public interest" to proceed.In these circumstances, he is meant to determine whether it is "in the public interest" to proceed.
The BBC understands Lord Goldsmith will make clear that he will accept the advice he is given.The BBC understands Lord Goldsmith will make clear that he will accept the advice he is given.
Scotland Yard is investigating whether people have been nominated for honours in exchange for giving donations or loans to political parties.Scotland Yard is investigating whether people have been nominated for honours in exchange for giving donations or loans to political parties.
Although a large number of people have so far been questioned by police, no-one has been charged.Although a large number of people have so far been questioned by police, no-one has been charged.