Emails sent by a key aide to British Prime Minister Tony Blair about legal advice on invading Iraq are being kept secret, it was revealed last night.
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith's final advice was published following a leak in the run-up to the general election.
But Downing Street are still refusing to release emails relating to its formulation sent by Baroness Morgan.
The decision may fuel fresh speculation about any input Mr Blair's former director of government relations may have had into Lord Goldsmith's decision.
The attorney general has repeatedly insisted that his eve-of-war judgement that military action was justified was his own independent opinion.
His original advice, given 10 days earlier, warned it could lead to a challenge in the international courts. Lord Goldsmith reportedly met with Baroness Morgan and Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, to discuss the issue on March 13.
The Sunday Times says No 10 has confirmed emails relating to the advice were sent by Baroness Morgan in this period.
Officials in the Lord Falconer's Department for Constitutional Affairs were reportedly worried that they could become public.
"Officials believe they summarise the discussions and arguments about Goldsmith's original legal position," an anonymous government source told the paper.
"They were not aware of the existence of these emails until recently that advice was released during the election campaign."
Now Downing Street has turned down a request to release them under the Freedom of Information Act. No 10 is using an opt-out that covers information relating to the formulation of government policy, arguing publication would not be in the public interest.
The Sunday Times is appeal to the information commissioner.
PA