Hoon, Campbell to be recalled to Hutton inquiry

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Downing Street's outgoing media chief, Mr Alastair Campbell, are to be called back to…

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Downing Street's outgoing media chief, Mr Alastair Campbell, are to be called back to give further testimony to the Hutton inquiry, lawyers said today.

However, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has already given evidence to the inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, will not reappear.

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon

Counsel to the inquiry Mr James Dingemans listed a wide range of witnesses from the government and the BBC and said they could be cross-examined by lawyers representing all parties over the next two weeks.

Senior judge Lord Hutton begins round two this week of his probe into the death of Dr Kelly. He is promising a more searching examination of key government figures.

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Dr Kelly slashed his wrist in July after he was exposed as the source of a BBC report accusing the Blair government of hyping up the case for war in Iraq.

BBC director general Mr Greg Dyke is also expected to be questioned over the corporation's staunch support for BBC journalist Mr Andrew Gilligan, whose report claimed Downing Street "sexed up" the government's Iraq weapons dossier.

Mr Blair's public trust ratings have shrivelled with most Britons doubting the case he made for attacking Iraq and many blaming his government for Dr Kelly's demise.

Mr Hoon, the scientist's ultimate boss, has been widely portrayed as a potential fall guy, likely to resign to protect Mr Blair's position.