§ Mr. Goldingasked the Prime Minister what has been his practice in relation to consultation by the Attorney-General of him personally, or the Cabinet collectively, before taking a decision on the institution of legal proceedings.
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§ The Prime MinisterEver since 1964 I have made it a rigid practice never to ask the Attorney-General to consult me or the Cabinet, either about a criminal prosecution or about the institution of civil proceedings, when he is acting in his capacity as protector of the public interest. It is of course open to him to obtain the views of a Minister on any relevant matters before reaching his decision. The decision is, however, for him alone, and I have always made it clear to my colleagues that I would regard it as wholly improper for any Minister to seek to influence the Attorney-General in the discharge of his constitutional duties.