However, Republicans who had called for a full pardon for Lewis Libby were glad about President Bush’s intervention.
Lewis “Scooter”Libby faced a 30-month sentence for obstructing a probe into the leaking of a CIA agent's name and was found guilty in March of perjury and obstructing justice in a case connected to Washington's decision to invade Iraq.
Lewis Libby was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, two years of probation and a fine of $250,000 (£125,000), but now that George W Bush has intervened he is no longer required to go to although he must still serve a period of probation and pay the fine.
President Bush, in justifying and explaining his action, said: " I respect the jury's verdict, but I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr Libby is excessive."
