M A I N   N E W S

BBC confirms Kelly gave information

London, July 20
Two days after weapons expert David Kelly was found dead, the BBC today disclosed that he was the source for its controversial report claiming the British Government had “sexed up” a dossier claiming Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, which was used to justify the US-led war on Iraq.

The revelation, which could have far-reaching implications for the troubled government of Prime Minister Tony Blair, was made by BBC’s Director of News Richard Sambrook after speaking to the family of the Iraq weapons expert who was found dead near his home on Friday.

The statement came shortly after Mr Blair said he would accept responsibility for all actions of government ministers and officials, but ruled out recalling Parliament.

Pressure is mounting on both the government and the BBC over their roles in events leading up to the death of Kelly, few days after he was grilled by parliamentarians about the sourcing of the “sexed-up dossier” report by Andrew Gilligan. Kelly had then denied he was the main source for a story, though he confessed he had spoken to Andrew Gillian.

The police confirmed yesterday the Ministry of Defence Adviser had bled to death from a cut to his wrist.

Meanwhile, the media is full of stories making the issue more intriguing.

In an e-mail reportedly sent to a New York Times journalist hours before his death, Kelly had apparently warned of “many dark actors playing games”.

The Sunday Times says Kelly told one of its reporters that he felt betrayed by the leaking of his name by the Ministry of Defence and was under “intolerable” pressure by being placed at the centre of the weapons row.

The government will hold an independent judicial inquiry, led by Lord Hutton into the circumstances surrounding Kelly’s death. Both Blair and the BBC have said they would give evidence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Blair in a statement from Seoul said he was “pleased” the BBC had confirmed that Kelly was the source of its report.

“I am pleased the BBC has made this announcement,” Mr Blair said following his summit with South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun.

“The independent Hutton inquiry has been set up. It will establish the facts. — AFP, PTI