THE Tory government's defence of ministers criticised in the Scott report cleared a significant hurdle yesterday when Conservative backbenchers rallied behind Sir Nicholas Lyell, the Attorney General.
Sir Nicholas fended off a series of attacks by Labour during parliamentary questions. His task was made easier by the conspicuous absence of those Tories who have expressed reservations about his remaining in office.
Two Conservative MPs have said they are considering leaving the party and serving the rest of their parliamentary terms as Independents partly over the government's belligerent selfdefence in its response to Sir Richard Scott's report on arms sales to Iraq.
Tory business managers yesterday met one of the potential defectors, Mr Peter Thurnham. They admitted they were having trouble convincing him to stay in the party. Mr John Major has said he will meet Mr Thurnham this week.
But opposition business managers suggested that Sunday night's IRA bomb might weaken the resolve of the Ulster Unionists and some Tories to take a stand against the government over Scott. Several waverers are citing the need to unite behind the Prime Minister in a bigger crisis.
Labour strategists are expected to force a technical vote in next Monday's vote on the Scott report. With the government majority down to four, the result is to be tight.
The opposition has demanded the resignation of Sir Nicholas for advising ministers to sign Public Interest Immunity certificates - which deny defence counsel certain documents on the grounds of national security - before the trial of directors of the Matrix Churchill company in 1992.
The other figure at the centre of controversy, Mr William Waldegrave, now Treasury Chief Secretary, was said by Sir Richard to have misled the Commons in saying guidelines on arms sales had not changed. Sir Richard said neither man was guilty of a cover up.
Sir Nicholas gave a robust account of himself. He said, to Labour shouts of "resign": "My integrity is unquestioned." He added: "The advice that I gave was fully in accordance with the law as it then stood."
Mr John Morris, shadow attorney general, accused him of "breathtaking incompetence".
"Where does the buck stop? Should you not go?" Mr Morris demanded.
Sir Nicholas raised eyebrows by saying that, contrary to evidence in the report, he had not allowed a letter from Mr Heseltine - expressing concern over the signing of PIIs - to lie on his desk for several weeks.
Mr John Prescott, Labour's deputy leader, challenged Mr Heseltine last night to say whether he stood by his original evidence to the inquiry. During testimony, Mr Heseltine said the use of PIIs in this case concerned him.