Libby was found innocent of one count of lying to the FBI in the probe surrounding who leaked the identity of a CIA analyst in 2003. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. His defence attorney, Theodore Wells, said Libby would seek a new trial and if denied that would appeal the conviction.
Critics of President George W. Bush had seized on the Libby trial as highlighting the way the administration built and defended its case for a four-year war that has become unpopular with most of the U.S. public. Libby was found guilty of the most serious of the charges, obstructing an investigation into who leaked the identity of Valerie Plame after her husband accused the Bush administration of manipulating intelligence to build its case for war. “It’s about time some one in the Bush administration has been held accountable for the campaign to manipulate intelligence and discredit war critics,” Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said after the verdict was announced.