blog:Republican anger

Mr Durham, who is already investigating the destruction of videotapes of CIA interrogations, was picked by US Attorney General Eric Holder.

Mr Holder said: “I fully realise that my decision to commence this preliminary review will be controversial

“In this case, given all of the information currently available, it is clear to me that this review is the only responsible course of action for me to take.”

Special prosecutors in the US are independent figures appointed to investigate the possible wrongdoing of government officials or agencies.

Senior Republicans have already expressed anger at the decision.

Nine signatories of a letter to Mr Holder said they were “deeply disappointed” at a decision that “could have a chilling effect on the work of the intelligence community”.