In Parliament

The hon. Lady makes a proper point, but there is another important distinction to be drawn between today’s scenario and the Iraq war.

My hon. Friend, as a lawyer, knows that all too well.

I can assure the hon. Lady that she will not be voting for it blindfold.

My hon. Friend puts the context of all this admirably well.

The hon. Gentleman talks about backbone.

As I think most hon. and right hon. Members know, the role of the Attorney General is to be the Government’s chief legal adviser.

My hon. Friend will know the answer that I must give, which is that the convention applies.

I am not going to start speculating in reply to my hon. Friend’s question. It would not be right of me; this is a matter for Parliament.

My hon. Friend knows our right hon.

All decisions to prosecute made by the Crown Prosecution Service must meet the Full Code Test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.