N = 8 supergravity

The complete structure of N = 8 supergravity is presented with an optional local SO(8) invariance. The SO(8) gauge interactions break E₇ invariance, but leave the local SU(8) unaffected. Exploiting E₇ × SU(8) invariance and using explicit lowest order results, we first derive the complete action and transformation laws. Subsequently, we introduce local SO(8) invariance and prove the consistency of the theory. Possible implications of our results are discussed.