Bush steps in to commute Libby's prison term

President George Bush has used his powers of clemency to spare Lewis "Scooter" Libby - one of his closest advisers in the decision to go to war on Iraq - from a two-and-a-half year prison term.

The decision yesterday caused widespread anger among Democrats and even dismayed some Republicans. But in keeping Libby out of jail the President may have saved himself from revelations by an embittered former aide. He was also bowing to political pressure from conservative bloggers, talk-radio hosts, and senior Republicans.

Libby, 56, a former chief of staff to Vice-President Dick Cheney, was convicted of lying to prosecutors investigating the leaking in 2003 of CIA official Valerie Plame's identity.

Mr Cheney supported a pardon but President Bush would not go that far, in part because Mr Libby refused to show any contrition. A pardon by Mr Bush would have been viewed as showing disrespect for the US justice system.

Mr Bush acted after a summit with the Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kennebunkport, Maine, when a court refused to let Libby remain free during his appeal.

"My decision to commute his sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment," Mr Bush said in a statement. "The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant and private citizen will be long- lasting.'' He added: "The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged."

As a result, Libby's conviction still stands and he must still pay a $250,000 (£124,000) fine. Political friends have said they will pay much of it.

Libby resigned as Mr Cheney's chief of staff shortly after being charged in 2005. The special US prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald proved he had lied to investigators over the leaking of Ms Plame's identity, which ending her undercover career.

Polls found that 69 per cent of Americans opposed a pardon. Only 18 per cent favoured it. The democrats, including the Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, demanded that President Bush not pardon Libby.

Libby's troubles began when a former US ambassador, Joseph Wilson, told The Independent and The New York Times that the Bush administration had twisted intelligence in order to justify the invasion of Iraq.

A senior member of the administration deliberately leaked Ms Plame's iden-tity to punish her husband. The syndicated columnist Robert Novak testified that the agent's identity was provided by the Deputy Secretary of State at the time, Richard Armitage, and confirmed by the White House political adviser Karl Rove.

Mr Fitzgerald argued that Libby lied about his knowledge of the leak to protect his job.