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Bbc reveals it has key tape Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1512&e=6&u=/afp/20030723/wl_afp/iraq_weapons_britain_030723122507 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1512&e=6&u=/afp/20030723/wl_afp/iraq_weapons_britain_030723122507 BBC reveals it has key tape of dead scientist 1 hour, 11 minutes ago Add World - AFP to My Yahoo! LONDON (AFP) - The BBC said it had a tape of defence expert David Kelly, the man whose apparent suicide sparked a political crisis for Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites), expressing concern about the way Iraq (news - web sites) weapons intelligence was presented by the government in the run-up to war. The Guardian newspaper said the public broadcaster believed the tape was the "smoking gun" which would back up a controversial BBC report on claims that Blair's office exaggerated the contents of a dossier on Iraq in order to beef up the case for military action. The tape recording of a conversation between Kelly and Susan Watts, the science editor of the BBC's Newsnight programme, was expected to be submitted in evidence to a judicial inquiry into the scientist's death. The BBC said that it would not discuss the content of the tape. The state broadcaster is thought to regard it as a useful part of its evidence for the inquiry supporting its controversial story, rather than the centrepiece. Kelly, a defence ministry consultant, was found with his wrist slashed in a wood in Oxfordshire, west of London last week, days after coming under intense scrutiny as the source for the BBC story. After his death, the BBC confirmed that he had been the main source for three journalists who had reported concerns about the way Iraq weapons intelligence had been presented before the war was launched on March 20. Watts had quoted an unnamed source at length -- now revealed as Kelly -- questioning a headline-grabbing claim in the government's Iraq dossier that Baghdad could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes. "It was a statement that was made and it just got out of all proportion," the source said. "They were desperate for information, they were pushing hard for information which could be released. That was one that popped up and it was seized on and it's unfortunate that it was." The political crisis triggered by Kelly's death is Blair's biggest since he came to power in 1997, and has seen him forced to fend off calls for his resignation. The scientist's apparent suicide sent shock waves through political circles in Britain and has prompted the media to ask who was to blame for the way Kelly was "outed" as a suspected mole.

Bbc reveals it has key tape Bbc says scientist source { July 20 2003 } Blair aide campbell to expose kelly Blair appears before inquiry into kelly death { August 28 2003 } Blair in crisis Blair rocked by whistle blower death Blair to testify kelly case Blair wants apology from bbc Body found british weapons advisor British defence to destroy media plan Crucial questions kelly death David kelly testimony { July 15 2003 } David kelly [jpg] Eight hours before kelly body found Electric pads suggest recent test Electrodes on chest unusual { August 1 2003 } Inquest to resolve kelly suicude riddle Kelly could not have died from suicide paramedics claim Kelly death details Kelly evidence iraq dirty bomb { August 4 2003 } Kelly inquest is shut closed { March 16 2004 } Kelly mysterious electro pads { August 1 2003 } Kelly said his life was in danger { August 21 2003 } Kelly was key Medics cast doubt on kelly suicide verdict Medics raise kelly death doubts { December 12 2004 } Murder of david kelly ftw 1 Murder of david kelly ftw 2 Murder spoils blairs plans { July 19 2003 } New questions over death of david kelly { June 2006 } Off the cutt remark sent the bbc reeling { January 31 2004 } Paramedics challenge lord hutton over kelly death Russian colleague doubts kelly committed suicide Scientist bled from slashed wrist Scientist inquiry could topple senior figures Scientists death fuels british intelligence row { July 20 2003 } Three doctors dispute kellys death Top judge clashes with ministers { December 14 2004 } Warned dark actors playing games Wide says suicide Wmd authority turns up dead Wmd scientist dead { July 18 2003 } Files Listed: 42

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