Attorney General Eric Holder says AP leak was grave and put American people at risk

Attorney General Eric Holder called the leaks through the story of Associated Press in last year about CIA foiling Al-Qaeda plan of blowing up US bound plane, as very serious in nature and put the life of American people at a major risk.

Holder in his statement said that he had no direct role to play in the Justice Department's procurement of the telephone records of AP's journalists and editor.

In a report by New York Post, Holder said that the seizure of telephonic records was part of the investigation process because the leaks through the story were of a serious nature involving national security.

Federal prosecutors are looking into the matter, while Holder has passed on this case to be handled by Deputy Attorney General Jim Cole.

According to the reports, Holder removed himself from the case due to congressional testimony he had given and his dealings with the news media.