Leak row ahead of Hutton report - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 01-28-2004, 05:34 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3435861.stm

Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 January, 2004, 11:21 GMT

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Leak row ahead of Hutton report

The Sun says the report came from someone 'with no vested interest'
Lord Hutton will begin delivering his verdict on the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly within 30 minutes.
His findings were due as a row grew over what appeared to be leaked details of the report in the Sun newspaper.

It claims Tony Blair is cleared of any "dishonourable conduct", but the BBC is accused of a series of failings.

The Tories have blamed the government for the leak but Downing Street has strongly denied it was responsible, as has the BBC and Alastair Campbell.

The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair was "very angry" about the leak.

Former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell has said any suggestion that he was to blame was "totally untrue and deeply offensive".

Tory party leader Michael Howard called for the Metropolitan Police commissioner to conduct a full inquiry into the "disgraceful" leak.

DVTimes · 01-28-2004, 05:35 AM

Goto http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/default.stm# and listen live

DVTimes · 01-28-2004, 05:42 AM

Hutton delivers Kelly verdict

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3434661.stm

Lord Hutton has just started unveiling the long-awaited findings of his inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

The former law lord is making a televised statement at the Royal Courts of Justice in London ahead of his full report being published at 1330 GMT.

Dr Kelly apparently killed himself last July after being named as the source for a BBC story on Iraqi weapons.

Prime Minister Tony Blair will make a House of Commons statement and take questions about the report at 1400 GMT.

The report is based on evidence from 74 witnesses over the six weeks of the Hutton inquiry last summer, which involved thousands of pages of documents.

The full findings are also to be published on the inquiry's website.

The main players in the inquiry, including the government, the BBC and Dr Kelly's family, received early copies of the report at lunchtime on Tuesday.

And Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy were given the chance to read the report from 0600 GMT on Wednesday.

Lord Hutton was asked to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Dr Kelly's death, and has spent more than four months writing up his conclusions.

Dr Kelly was Mr Gilligan's source for the story broadcast by the BBC Today programme's Andrew Gilligan about claims the government "sexed up" its 2002 dossier about Iraqi weapons.

Leak row

Lord Hutton is dealing with how the government prepared the dossier and its treatment of Dr Kelly once he admitted meeting Mr Gilligan.

The BBC is coming under scrutiny for its original story and the way it defended the broadcasts.

His statement follows a row over an apparent leak to the Sun newspaper of what it said were his conclusions.

The Tories have blamed the leak on the government.

At prime minister's questions, Mr Blair said he was happy for there to be an inquiry into the leak.

"Nobody, as far as I am aware, has leaked this from government," he said, demanding to know the evidence for the Tory claims.

Drama builds

Some members of the public have queued overnight so they can witness Lord Hutton's statement first hand.

Gavin Oram was first in the queue, saying the wait had not been as cold as he had expected.

"I don't think the leak has spoiled today's events," he told BBC News Online.

Law student Andrew Edwards, 39, second in the queue, spent the night in a sleeping bag under a cardboard box.

He believed the leak only made people more eager to hear the full story.

"It adds to the drama," he said.

The report comes after the government scraped a five-vote victory in the House of Commons test of its controversial plans for university top-up fees.

DVTimes · 01-28-2004, 05:44 AM

INQUIRY BACKGROUND

September 2002: Government produces dossier about alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, including claim they could be deployed within 45 minutes

May 2003: BBC Today programme's Andrew Gilligan broadcasts report of claims Downing Street "sexed up" dossier, with 45 mins claim included against intelligence agencies' wishes

10 July 2003:Dr David Kelly named as suspected source of report as government continues to deny the story

17 July 2003: Dr Kelly found dead

August 2003: Lord Hutton begins six weeks of hearings about the circumstances around Dr Kelly's death

DVTimes · 01-28-2004, 05:45 AM

Key questions for Hutton

Here is a guide to the key questions to watch out for when Lord Hutton delivers his report on the circumstances around the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly on Wednesday.

THE PREPARATION OF THE IRAQ WEAPONS DOSSIER

Who was responsible for drafting the dossier? The inquiry heard the Joint Intelligence Committee took ownership of the document but questions were raised about why Downing Street media chief Alastair Campbell chaired some of the meetings.

Were the prime minister, Mr Campbell and others in Number 10 responsible for intelligence being set out in the dossier which was incorrect or misleading or which was given improper emphasis? This especially centres around the claim that Iraq could deploy weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes of an order.

What was Dr Kelly's role in preparing the dossier and was he in a position to know what was happening inside Number 10?

ANDREW GILLIGAN'S REPORT

What was said by Dr Kelly to BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan on 22 May 2003? Mr Gilligan says he was told the intelligence dossier was "sexed up" in the week before publication as a result at the behest of Downing Street.

Did Mr Gilligan accurately report what was said by Dr Kelly to him in his broadcast on 29 May and in the Mail on Sunday newspaper on 1 June?

Was what Mr Gilligan reported true? He has admitted making "slips of the tongue" in live broadcasts when he said the government knew the 45 minutes claim was probably wrong even before it put it in the dossier.

Was the Ministry of Defence told about the story before its broadcast? During the inquiry, the BBC conceded Downing Street should have been given the chance to comment before the claims were aired, but Mr Gilligan insisted he had put the claims to the MoD.

THE ROW BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BBC

How fair were the government's complaints about the BBC story and how much did they raise the temperature of the row?

How well did the BBC react to those complaints? The corporation has been criticised for defending Mr Gilligan's story without properly checking notes of his conversation with Dr Kelly.

THE TREATMENT OF DR KELLY

How did the Ministry of Defence and the government handle the scientist once he admitted meeting Mr Gilligan?

Who decided to release a press release saying an unnamed official was suspected as the BBC's source and did this and briefings by MoD press officers give clues about Dr Kelly's identity?

Who decided to confirm Dr Kelly's name to journalists and was this fair on the scientist?

Was Dr Kelly aware his identity was likely to become public, did he agree to that process and was he given enough help as he became the focus of the media spotlight?

Was it right to put up the weapons expert for public questioning by the Commons foreign affairs committee and in private by the intelligence and security committee?

Did the prime minister tell the truth when he told journalists he had not authorised the leaking of Dr Kelly's name? Lord Hutton may decide this question is outside the scope of his inquiry.

Did the government try in its dealings with the media to down play Dr Kelly's importance as a civil servant and his role in the production of the dossier? And did this reflect reality or was it just designed to help in the row with the BBC?

DR KELLY'S DEATH

How did Dr Kelly die and was it clearly by his own hand?

If Dr Kelly killed himself, what were the things likely to have led him to commit suicide?

DVTimes · 01-28-2004, 06:09 AM

http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk/

01-28-2004, 05:34 AM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Leak row ahead of Hutton report http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3435861.stm Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 January, 2004, 11:21 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Leak row ahead of Hutton report The Sun says the report came from someone 'with no vested interest' Lord Hutton will begin delivering his verdict on the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly within 30 minutes. His findings were due as a row grew over what appeared to be leaked details of the report in the Sun newspaper. It claims Tony Blair is cleared of any "dishonourable conduct", but the BBC is accused of a series of failings. The Tories have blamed the government for the leak but Downing Street has strongly denied it was responsible, as has the BBC and Alastair Campbell. The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair was "very angry" about the leak. Former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell has said any suggestion that he was to blame was "totally untrue and deeply offensive". Tory party leader Michael Howard called for the Metropolitan Police commissioner to conduct a full inquiry into the "disgraceful" leak. __________________ The Affiliate Program

01-28-2004, 05:35 AM	#2
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Goto http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/default.stm# and listen live __________________ The Affiliate Program

01-28-2004, 05:42 AM	#3
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Hutton delivers Kelly verdict http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3434661.stm Lord Hutton has just started unveiling the long-awaited findings of his inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. The former law lord is making a televised statement at the Royal Courts of Justice in London ahead of his full report being published at 1330 GMT. Dr Kelly apparently killed himself last July after being named as the source for a BBC story on Iraqi weapons. Prime Minister Tony Blair will make a House of Commons statement and take questions about the report at 1400 GMT. The report is based on evidence from 74 witnesses over the six weeks of the Hutton inquiry last summer, which involved thousands of pages of documents. The full findings are also to be published on the inquiry's website. The main players in the inquiry, including the government, the BBC and Dr Kelly's family, received early copies of the report at lunchtime on Tuesday. And Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy were given the chance to read the report from 0600 GMT on Wednesday. Lord Hutton was asked to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Dr Kelly's death, and has spent more than four months writing up his conclusions. Dr Kelly was Mr Gilligan's source for the story broadcast by the BBC Today programme's Andrew Gilligan about claims the government "sexed up" its 2002 dossier about Iraqi weapons. Leak row Lord Hutton is dealing with how the government prepared the dossier and its treatment of Dr Kelly once he admitted meeting Mr Gilligan. The BBC is coming under scrutiny for its original story and the way it defended the broadcasts. His statement follows a row over an apparent leak to the Sun newspaper of what it said were his conclusions. The Tories have blamed the leak on the government. At prime minister's questions, Mr Blair said he was happy for there to be an inquiry into the leak. "Nobody, as far as I am aware, has leaked this from government," he said, demanding to know the evidence for the Tory claims. Drama builds Some members of the public have queued overnight so they can witness Lord Hutton's statement first hand. Gavin Oram was first in the queue, saying the wait had not been as cold as he had expected. "I don't think the leak has spoiled today's events," he told BBC News Online. Law student Andrew Edwards, 39, second in the queue, spent the night in a sleeping bag under a cardboard box. He believed the leak only made people more eager to hear the full story. "It adds to the drama," he said. The report comes after the government scraped a five-vote victory in the House of Commons test of its controversial plans for university top-up fees. __________________ The Affiliate Program

01-28-2004, 05:44 AM	#4
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	INQUIRY BACKGROUND September 2002: Government produces dossier about alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, including claim they could be deployed within 45 minutes May 2003: BBC Today programme's Andrew Gilligan broadcasts report of claims Downing Street "sexed up" dossier, with 45 mins claim included against intelligence agencies' wishes 10 July 2003:Dr David Kelly named as suspected source of report as government continues to deny the story 17 July 2003: Dr Kelly found dead August 2003: Lord Hutton begins six weeks of hearings about the circumstances around Dr Kelly's death __________________ The Affiliate Program

01-28-2004, 05:45 AM	#5
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Key questions for Hutton Here is a guide to the key questions to watch out for when Lord Hutton delivers his report on the circumstances around the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly on Wednesday. THE PREPARATION OF THE IRAQ WEAPONS DOSSIER Who was responsible for drafting the dossier? The inquiry heard the Joint Intelligence Committee took ownership of the document but questions were raised about why Downing Street media chief Alastair Campbell chaired some of the meetings. Were the prime minister, Mr Campbell and others in Number 10 responsible for intelligence being set out in the dossier which was incorrect or misleading or which was given improper emphasis? This especially centres around the claim that Iraq could deploy weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes of an order. What was Dr Kelly's role in preparing the dossier and was he in a position to know what was happening inside Number 10? ANDREW GILLIGAN'S REPORT What was said by Dr Kelly to BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan on 22 May 2003? Mr Gilligan says he was told the intelligence dossier was "sexed up" in the week before publication as a result at the behest of Downing Street. Did Mr Gilligan accurately report what was said by Dr Kelly to him in his broadcast on 29 May and in the Mail on Sunday newspaper on 1 June? Was what Mr Gilligan reported true? He has admitted making "slips of the tongue" in live broadcasts when he said the government knew the 45 minutes claim was probably wrong even before it put it in the dossier. Was the Ministry of Defence told about the story before its broadcast? During the inquiry, the BBC conceded Downing Street should have been given the chance to comment before the claims were aired, but Mr Gilligan insisted he had put the claims to the MoD. THE ROW BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BBC How fair were the government's complaints about the BBC story and how much did they raise the temperature of the row? How well did the BBC react to those complaints? The corporation has been criticised for defending Mr Gilligan's story without properly checking notes of his conversation with Dr Kelly. THE TREATMENT OF DR KELLY How did the Ministry of Defence and the government handle the scientist once he admitted meeting Mr Gilligan? Who decided to release a press release saying an unnamed official was suspected as the BBC's source and did this and briefings by MoD press officers give clues about Dr Kelly's identity? Who decided to confirm Dr Kelly's name to journalists and was this fair on the scientist? Was Dr Kelly aware his identity was likely to become public, did he agree to that process and was he given enough help as he became the focus of the media spotlight? Was it right to put up the weapons expert for public questioning by the Commons foreign affairs committee and in private by the intelligence and security committee? Did the prime minister tell the truth when he told journalists he had not authorised the leaking of Dr Kelly's name? Lord Hutton may decide this question is outside the scope of his inquiry. Did the government try in its dealings with the media to down play Dr Kelly's importance as a civil servant and his role in the production of the dossier? And did this reflect reality or was it just designed to help in the row with the BBC? DR KELLY'S DEATH How did Dr Kelly die and was it clearly by his own hand? If Dr Kelly killed himself, what were the things likely to have led him to commit suicide? __________________ The Affiliate Program

01-28-2004, 06:09 AM	#6
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk/ __________________ The Affiliate Program