Tony Blair’s government failed to protect the UK’s justice system from outside political interference. That is the damning verdict of the High Court on Thursday.

The Serious Fraud Office axed a corruption probe into dealings between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia in December 2006. In a devastating judgment that lays bare the pressure exerted on the SFO, the court said that the cave-in to Riyadh’s threats was unlawful. The decision is a victory for the rule of law over a hypocritical and expedient administration.