New witnesses as Blair faces questions on Kelly
The Hutton Inquiry moved into the final day of its first phase today, as Tony Blair prepared to face questions about his government’s dossier on Iraqi weapons.
At his monthly press conference, Mr Blair was expected to be questioned about yesterday’s revelation that British intelligence analysts expressed resentment at “political interference” in their work by “spin merchants”.
One witness to the Hutton Inquiry revealed concerns that claims in the document had been “over-egged”.
Today the Hutton Inquiry was hearing from Dr Kelly’s former colleague Olivia Bosch, of the United Nations weapons commission Unscom, who telephoned the scientist on July 10 to tell him about press coverage of claims that he was the source for Andrew Gilligan’s BBC radio report that the British government “sexed up” its dossier.
Neighbour Leigh Potter was also giving evidence before British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon’s special adviser, Richard Taylor, was due to be called.
Mr Taylor was summoned after it emerged he confirmed Dr Kelly’s name to a Financial Times journalist on July 9, the day after Britain's Ministry of Defence issued a statement revealing that an unnamed official had admitted meeting BBC reporter Mr Gilligan.
A TV journalist and friend of Dr Kelly, Tom Mangold, was the final witness listed for the last day of the first phase of the inquiry.
Mr Mangold is likely to be asked about e-mails he received from Dr Kelly, including one the weapons specialist sent on July 9 in which he wrote it was “not a good time to be in communication”.
Lord Hutton will then adjourn the inquiry until September 15, when a second phase of re-examination of certain witnesses will begin.
