Meaning: The quote by Clare Short, a British politician, pertains to her suspicion regarding the attorney's decision to halt a particular prosecution. Short suggests that the attorney may have ceased the prosecution because part of her defense strategy involved questioning the legality of certain actions, which would have brought the attorney's advice into the public domain once again. Short implies that there was something dubious about the attorney's assertion that the war in question was legal.

Clare Short's quote reflects her skepticism about the motivations behind the attorney's actions and raises concerns about potential impropriety or manipulation of legal justifications for war. To fully understand the context of this quote, it is important to consider Clare Short's background and the specific circumstances to which she is referring.

Clare Short is a prominent British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party and held various ministerial positions, including Secretary of State for International Development. Her political career was marked by her outspokenness and advocacy for ethical governance and international development.

The quote likely pertains to a specific legal case or prosecution in which Short believed that the attorney's decision to halt the proceedings was motivated by a desire to avoid public scrutiny of the legality of certain actions, particularly relating to the justification for war. Short's suspicion suggests a lack of transparency and accountability in the legal and political processes surrounding the prosecution and the war in question.

In the broader context, Short's quote reflects broader debates and controversies regarding the legality and justifications for military interventions and wars. During her time in government, Short was known for her vocal opposition to the Iraq War and her criticism of the legal basis for the invasion. She famously resigned from her ministerial position in 2003 in protest of the government's decision to go to war without a clear mandate from the United Nations.

The quote also highlights the intersection of legal and political considerations in matters of war and international relations. Short's suggestion that the attorney's decision to stop the prosecution may have been influenced by a desire to shield the legality of the war from public scrutiny speaks to the complex and often contentious nature of legal justifications for military actions.

Moreover, the quote underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in legal and political decision-making, particularly in matters of war and national security. Short's suspicion of something "fishy" about the attorney's assertion regarding the legality of the war reflects a broader concern for the integrity of legal processes and the need for robust scrutiny of the justifications for military interventions.

In conclusion, Clare Short's quote encapsulates her skepticism about the motivations behind a legal decision and her concerns about the transparency and legality of certain actions, particularly relating to the justification for war. It also sheds light on the broader debates and controversies surrounding the legal justifications for military interventions and the intersection of legal and political considerations in matters of war and international relations.