Hoon pressed to explain MoD’s role in Kelly tragedy
The spotlight has turned on Geoff Hoon to explain why the Ministry of Defence made public the name of Dr David Kelly, the Iraqi weapons expert who tragically killed himself after he was pinpointed as the “mole” in the “sexed up” dossier scandal.
The Secretary of State for Defence ‘s handling of the furore will be scrutinised in Lord Hutton’s judicial inquiry.
He will be asked to explain why the MoD named Dr Kelly as the source of BBC reports that the Government hyped up Saddam Hussein’s capacity to launch lethal weapons “within 45-minutes.”
Mr Hoon denied suggestions that he forced officials to name Dr Kelly.
But in another twist to the story, there are suggestions that No 10 intervened to press the MoD to release the name of Dr Kelly.
Downing Street said it was “untenable” that Dr Kelly could continue to enjoy the MoD’s protection from media scrutiny, Whitehall sources revealed.
The PM’s director of communications Alastair Campbell was reportedly briefed on the name of the “mole.”
Separately, Greg Dyke, director-general of the BBC, claimed yesterday that the Corporation was not “responsible” for unveiling Dr Kelly as the source in the Iraqi dossier story.
Mr Dyke said the BBC did everything possible to protect anonymity of Dr Kelly and to observe the public interest “at all times.”
