Hutton's conclusions

Lord Hutton's report addresses several key issues about the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly

Lord Hutton's report addresses several key issues about the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly. Here is a summary of his main findings.

  • The claim that Iraqi WMD could be launched in 45 minutes came from a source regarded by the intelligence services as reliable
  • BBC journalist Mr Andrew Gilligan's allegation that the government knew this claim was wrong was "unfounded"
  • Mr Gilligan's claim that the weapon's dossier was "sexed-up" was unfounded
  • Mr Gilligan's allegation that the 45-minute claim was not in the original version of the dossier because the intelligence services did not believe it was necessarily true was "unfounded".
  • Mr Alastair Campbell asked intelligence services to word the dossier "to make as strong a case as possible" over the threat posed by Iraqi WMD but that nothing be included unless intelligence services "entirely happy" with it
  • The possibility cannot be "completely ruled out" that
  • Mr Blair's desire to have as compelling a dossier as possible may have "subconsciously influenced" intelligence services to strengthen the dossier's language
  • Dr David Kelly's contact with Mr Gilligan was "unauthorised" and in breach of the Civil Service code of procedure
  • Dr Kelly may have told Mr Gilligan more than he intended to say and may not have understood at their meeting the gravity of the situation
  • Dr Kelly took his own life
  • No other person was involved in the death