Michael Howard

On Wednesday we reported the Ordtech appeal in which the convictions of four men for supplying arms to Iraq were overturned on grounds that vital documents had been withheld by the Government. We referred to Public Immunity Certificates signed by ministers Kenneth Baker and Peter Lilley at the trial and by Michael Howard and Douglas Hurd at the appeal.

At Mr Howard's request, we are happy to make clear that the PII certificates that he and Mr Hurd signed invited the Court of Appeal to order full disclosure of relevant documents, excluding only sensitive names and references not affecting the case. With minor adjustments these certificates were approved by the Court of Appeal.