Cabinet nixes bid for inquiry on Ramon case, orders comptroller to review wiretap use

The cabinet on Sunday ordered the state comptroller to review the use of investigative wiretapping, in response to criticism over the handling of a sex offenses case involving Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's deputy, Minister Haim Ramon. Media and commentators said the issue was an attempt by Olmert's allies to discredit the police and state prosecutors at a time when the prime minister is under criminal investigation over alleged corruption, which he denies. After five hours of discussions, cabinet members stopped short of ordering a state inquiry similar to the one that examined shortcomings in the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Ministers voted instead to have the state comptroller, the main government watchdog, investigate the use of eavesdropping in broad terms. Olmert abstained in the vote relating to the case of Ramon, convicted... [read full story]