CASE No 05/394 lasted only ten minutes, but the appearance of a top White House official in the dock of a criminal court commanded America’s attention yesterday.

Lewis “Scooter” Libby arrived in the Ceremonial Courtroom of the Federal Courthouse, Washington, looking as relaxed as any man can when on crutches with a broken foot and facing charges that could land him in jail for up to 30 years.

Reassured by arm rubs from his wife, and surrounded by a crack new legal team, Vice-President Richard Cheney’s former chief of staff waited in silence for District Court Judge Reggie Walton.

Two yards away sat his nemesis, special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, whose 22-month investigation into the leak of a covert CIA agent’s identity had led to Mr Libby’s indictment on two counts of perjury, two of making false statements to federal agents and one of obstruction of justice.

The only sound when the packed court rose for the judge was of one of Mr Libby’s crutches falling to the floor.

The case of USA v Lewis Libby was pronounced in session. The defendant hopped from his chair to a podium facing the judge. Asked by a court attendant whether he wished to enter a plea, he replied: “Yes, I do.” Asked how he pleaded, he responded confidently: “With respect, your honour, I plead not guilty.”

It is 130 years since the last sitting White House official was charged with a crime. Orville Babcock, an aide to President Ulysses S. Grant, resigned to clear his name on charges of profiteering from whisky taxes and won a not guilty verdict.

The rest of yesterday’s hearing was taken up with legal arguments over the timing of the case and the disclosure of documents. Mr Libby was then taken privately before court marshals to have his fingerprints and photograph taken.

The hearing was the first step in a trial that could dog the rest of the Bush presidency and see the Vice-President giving evidence in person, turning the spotlight on how the Administration made its case for war against Iraq.

But Mr Libby has assembled a high-powered legal team led by Ted Wells, who is regarded as one of America’s top white-collar jury-trial lawyers.

He has won acquittals for senior figures in high-profile cases that included Michael Espy, the former Agriculture Secretary; Raymond Donovan, the former Labour Secretary; Robert Torricelli, a former Senator; and Michael Milken, a financier.

After the hearing, Mr Wells appeared to rule out a plea bargain. He said: “Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty to each and every count in the indictment. In pleading not guilty, he has declared to the world that he is innocent. He has declared that he wants to clear his good name and he wants a jury trial.”

The court is not expected to reconvene until February 3 because of the lengthy process of declassifying “voluminous” documents and seeking security clearance for lawyers.

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