(2003-12-31) -- Columnist Robert Novak today followed the lead of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and disqualified himself from participating in a Justice Department probe to determine who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

"I'm recusing myself from this case," Mr. Novak said, "I am the only person who could unequivocally confirm who outed Valerie Plame. If I revealed the name of the leaker, it might result in removal of a loose-lipped, high-level government official, thereby making me appear somewhat patriotic. In order to be a professional American journalist, I must remain neutral on potential matters of national security. It would be a conflict of interest for me to disclose my source."

The name of the CIA agent appeared in Mr. Novak's July 14 column.