Letter to the Chairman from the Rt Hon
The Lord Williams of Mostyn QC
Thank you for your letter of 8 February asking
for access to the advice given by my predecessor in connection
with the Kosovo crisis last year.
It is a long standing convention, adhered to
by successive Governments and enshrined in the Ministerial Code,
that neither the fact that the Law Officers have advised on a
matter, nor the content of any advice which they may have given,
is disclosed outside Government other than in exceptional circumstances.
I have considered carefully whether an exception
to this convention should be made in relation to the events which
are being investigated by your Committee. I have also discussed
the matter with John Morris. Our view, however, is that Ministerial
colleagues are entitled to the benefit of confidential legal advice,
especially on a matter as sensitive as this. I am therefore afraid
that neither of us sees any reason to make an exception to the
convention, on this occasion.
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