Friday’s indictment of Lewis “Scooter” Libby removes one of Washington’s most influential backroom foreign policy operators. It also raises questions over whether the man known for his devotion to Dick Cheney, the vice-president, is taking the fall for his boss.

As Mr Cheney’s chief of staff and national security adviser since 2001, Mr Libby has capitalised on his closeness to arguably the most powerful and unbending vice-president in US history. “I’m a great fan of the vice-president. I think he is one of the smartest, most honourable people I’ve ever met,” Mr Libby has said.