LONDON, June 23: Lord Peter Goldsmith, the British government’s senior legal adviser whose time in office was marked by several controversies, said on Friday he would step down next week, alongside Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Attorney-General Goldsmith, who was appointed by Blair in 2001, attracted criticism over his legal advice about the 2003 Iraq war and his role in the rumbling cash-for-honours corruption probe.

He was again in the limelight in December when he announced that a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into claims that defence firm BAE Systems set up a secret slush fund for members of the Saudi royal family would be shelved.

Goldsmith said his six-year term in office had been “extremely interesting and challenging” but added: “I have wanted for some time to move on.” In response, Blair said Goldsmith could look back on his time in the job “with both personal and professional pride” while finance minister Gordon Brown, who takes over from Blair on Wednesday, added his praise.

“Peter Goldsmith has given outstanding service to Britain ... it is with my regret that he has made his personal decision to step down,” he said. The top law officer is the latest senior figure in the ruling Labour Party to announce he will leave office with Blair. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Home Secretary John Reid are also going.—AFP