Inquiry to hear of naming call

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Sept 24, 2003

The Hutton Inquiry into the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly was today hearing its final full day of evidence.

BBC chairman Gavyn Davies heads the list of witnesses being recalled to the Royal Courts of Justice today to be cross-examined over their role in the circumstances that ended in Dr Kelly's apparent suicide.

Today brings to a close 22 days of oral evidence to the inquiry, which first began on August 11, before the relevant counsel and Lord Hutton begin their closing statements.

The inquiry began following the death of Dr Kelly, who found himself at the centre of a row between the BBC and the Government after he admitted speaking to journalist Andrew Gilligan, who reported that the Government had "sexed up" its Iraq dossier.

Mr Davies is expected to be asked about a letter written by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon on July 8, which raised the possibility of whether the BBC would be prepared to disclose the name of Mr Gilligan's source in confidence. He could also be asked to clear up the discrepancy between his evidence on August 28 that the "gist" of a second letter from Mr Hoon bearing Dr Kelly's name had been released by the Government.

On Monday, Mr Hoon said he did not believe his office had leaked the letter and implied that the information had come from the BBC.

Mr Davies, also in his evidence in chief, criticised Mr Gilligan for briefing MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee which was to due question Dr Kelly.

The BBC chairman said such actions may have increased the pressures on the former UN weapons inspector.

He was being examined by his own counsel and cross-examined by counsel for the Government and the inquiry.

Also appearing today was Dr Kelly's line manager, Dr Bryan Wells, who was having to explain once again the handling of the scientist within the MoD once he came forward.

It was in a letter to Dr Wells, director of the MoD's proliferation and arms control secretariat, on June 30 that Dr Kelly confirmed he had met Mr Gilligan.