Bush questioned about CIA leak
US President George Bush has been interviewed by government prosecutors in connection with an investigation into who leaked the name of an undercover CIA operative to the media.
Mr Bush was questioned for 70 minutes yesterday in the Oval Office by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who is heading the US Justice Department investigation.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Mr Bush has hired Jim Sharp, a Washington trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor.
“The leaking of classified information is a very serious matter,” Mr McClellan said, adding Mr Bush repeatedly has said that he wants his administration to cooperate with the investigation.
“He was pleased to do his part.”
Investigators want to know who leaked the name of Valerie Plame, an undercover CIA operative, to columnist Robert Novak last July.
A US federal grand jury in recent months has questioned numerous White House and administration officials.
Disclosure of an undercover officer’s identity can be a federal crime.
