Top Bush aide accused of leaking CIA agent’s name to press in act of revenge

THE US Justice Department yesterday launched a full-blown criminal investigation into the leaking of the name of a CIA officer, and President George Bush ordered his White House staff to co-operate fully.

The controversy centres on the disclosure that Valerie Plame the wife of Joseph Wilson, a former US ambassador to Gabon was an undercover CIA operative specialising in weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Wilson says his wife's cover was blown by administration officials looking to discredit him or get revenge.