United States: The Washington Post's ombudsman rebuked journalist Bob Woodward yesterday for withholding what he knew about the CIA leak probe from his editor and for making public statements that were dismissive of the investigation without disclosing his own involvement.
One of the best-known investigative reporters in the US, Woodward revealed last week that he testified under oath to special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that a senior Bush administration official told him in mid-June 2003 about CIA operative Valerie Plame's position at the agency.
Mr Fitzgerald announced a few days later in court papers that his two-year criminal investigation into who leaked Ms Plame's identity would be going back before a federal grand jury, a sign he may seek new or revised charges.
The name of Woodward's source has yet to be made public and so far more than a dozen senior administration officials have denied any involvement in the leak.
Asked on Fox News Sunday if he ever spoke to Woodward about Ms Plame, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said: "No, of course not."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a similar denial through a spokesman on Saturday.
In a column highly critical of Woodward's conduct, Washington Post ombudsman Deborah Howell said the newspaper took a "hit to its credibility" and called for more overseeing of Woodward's work.
"He has to operate under the rules that govern the rest of the staff - even if he's rich and famous," Ms Howell wrote of Woodward, one of the two Washington Post reporters famed for coverage of the 1970s Watergate scandal that brought down president Richard Nixon.
Ms Howell said Woodward committed a "deeply serious sin" by keeping Post executive editor Leonard Downie in the dark about his source for more than two years.
"He also committed another journalistic sin - commenting on national public radio and Larry King Live about the Plame investigation without disclosing his early knowledge of Plame's identity."
In a series of television and radio interviews before publicly disclosing his involvement in the leak case, Woodward described the leak case as laughable and Mr Fitzgerald's behaviour as "disgraceful." One day before Mr Fitzgerald brought charges against Vice President Dick Cheney's long-time chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Woodward said he saw no evidence of criminal intent.
Woodward has apologised to Mr Downie, who said "Bob made a mistake" by not informing him sooner of his source on Ms Plame.- (Reuters)