Blair's Communications Chief Poises for Probe into Kelly Death

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 16, 2003

Blair's Communications Chief Poises for Probe into Kelly Death

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell will go before the Hutton inquiry next week into the death of arms expert David Kelly, who was at the center of a row over Iraq's banned weapons, a government source said Friday.

Campbell has been spotlighted since BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan said in May his source had claimed the communications chief was responsible for "doctoring" last September's Iraq weapons dossier in the week before publication.

Campbell is likely to be asked by the inquiry, which enters its second week Monday and will hear Campbell on Tuesday, about his role in preparing the dossier and his involvement in Kelly's name becoming public, media reports here suggested.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman, Tom Kelly, who recently apologized for describing the dead scientist as a "Walter Mitty" fantasist, will be questioned Wednesday.

The inquiry, which is not sitting on Friday, is examining the circumstances of Kelly's death after he was named as the possible source of a BBC report claiming Downing Street "sexed up" Iraq's weapons capability in the dossier to help make the case for war.

A BBC report said Friday it was shown how the dossier's language -- concerning the claim that Iraq could deploy weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes -- was first weakened and then strengthened in the days before publication.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Blair, Hoon to Be Called to Testify over Kelly's Death

News Analysis: Who's at Fault for Kelly's Death?

Blair Says He Won't Resign over Kelly's Death Scandal

DPRK's Kim Jong Il Elected Member of Parliament ( 2 Messages)

Main Party of China's First Euthanasia Lawsuit Dies ( 2 Messages)

For Whom Does Jackie Chan Feel Pity and Shed Tears? ( 5 Messages)

News Analysis: Bush's Political Fortune to Rise or Fall? ( 4 Messages)

Japan to Be Restored as China's Biggest Tourism Source ( 3 Messages)