Baroness Scotland will not be forced to resign after paying a £5,000 fine for employing an illegal immigrant.
Gordon Brown has confirmed that no further action will be taken over the attorney general's breach of the law, despite Conservative calls for her resignation.
"In line with the ministerial code I have consulted the cabinet secretary and, given the UK Border Agency is satisfied she did not knowingly employ an illegal worker and took steps to check the documents, I have concluded that no further action is necessary given the investigation and action that has already been taken by the appropriate authorities and her unreserved apology," said Brown.
The UK Border Agency found the attorney general had unknowingly employed an illegal worker.
Baroness Scotland has accepted the ruling and apologised.
"I fully accept the findings of the UK Border Agency, that I made a technical breach of the rules and I apologise for having made this inadvertent error," she said.
"Having examined the documents which I was shown, I accept entirely that I should have taken copies of them and retained those copies and I accept it is my duty to pay the fine and I have done so."
The minister's errors occurred despite her involvement in passing the law, which states that copies of documents must be made and retained and ignorance is not a defence.
The prime minister insisted: "The government takes seriously breaches of this important protection against illegal immigration and as a result Baroness Scotland has made the fullest of apologies and paid the fine."
But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "Law makers should not be law breakers, and this applies even more to Baroness Scotland due to her special position as chief law officer.
"Her position now looks untenable."
