NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — pretext — david-kelly — Viewing Item

Bbc says scientist source { July 20 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18960-2003Jul20.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18960-2003Jul20.html Blair Stands Firm as BBC Says Scientist Was Source Reuters Sunday, July 20, 2003; 10:46 AM By Andrew Cawthorne and Katherine Baldwin LONDON/SEOUL (Reuters) - Britain's Tony Blair ruled out resigning over the suicide of a defense expert whom the BBC identified on Sunday as its main source for an accusation that the government exaggerated the case for war in Iraq. "You've got to have broad shoulders in this job...I've got them," the prime minister said on an Asia tour overshadowed by the death of mild-mannered scientist and former U.N. weapons inspector David Kelly. Fueling a blame game that has dominated UK politics, the British Broadcasting Corporation confirmed Kelly was "the principal source" for its bombshell allegation that London hyped intelligence over Iraq's weapons to justify an unpopular war. "The BBC is profoundly sorry that his involvement as our source has ended so tragically," BBC head of news Richard Sambrook said in a carefully worded statement. Politicians said the BBC's admission called its whole report into question, and Blair said he was pleased it had confirmed Kelly's role as the source. "Whatever the differences, no one wanted this tragedy to happen," he said in a statement. Speaking in Asia, a defensive Blair also rejected suggestions he should curtail his trip or recall parliament from its summer break to debate what drove Kelly, 59, to slit his wrist in woodland near his Oxfordshire home on Thursday. Two days before, Kelly was grilled in parliament over his role as a Ministry of Defense source who spoke to the author of a BBC story that Blair's communications chief Alastair Campbell "sexed up" a September dossier on Saddam Hussein's weapons. The BBC allegation that Campbell exaggerated intelligence to indicate Saddam could mobilize weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes is at the center of claims Blair misled the British public and parliament over the case for war. Kelly's death has left Blair, 50, facing the biggest political crisis of his six-year rule and turned a week-long foreign trip into a nightmare. After a rapturous reception in the United States for his support on Iraq, Blair heard the news about Kelly on the plane to Japan and has looked ashen-faced ever since. BBC UNDER PRESSURE In the unseemly recriminations over Kelly's death, critics of the government say it put him under intolerable pressure by face the limelight in an effort to discredit the BBC report and therefore clear Campbell and Blair. But the BBC, which had until Sunday refused to confirm whether or not Kelly was its source, is charged with heightening the media frenzy around him. His position also did not fit the BBC's description of him as a senior intelligence source. Kelly's local member of parliament, Robert Jackson, said BBC Chairman Gavyn Davies and Director General Greg Dyke should quit. "If they had made this statement while Dr Kelly was alive, I believe he would still be alive," he said. In its statement on Sunday, the BBC said it "believes we accurately interpreted and reported" information from Kelly. That backing of its journalist Andrew Gilligan was at odds with Kelly's own comments to a parliamentary committee that he did not provide the crucial 45-minute claim in the BBC report. If Kelly was the source but did not make that claim, it would strengthen the Blair government's accusation that Gilligan hyped his report. He and Campbell have a long-running enmity. Ignoring calls to resign from radical members of his own ruling Labour Party, Blair urged people to wait for the results of a judicial inquiry and said he would accept responsibility if there was any wrongdoing by members of his administration. Beyond the debate, Kelly's family echoed a sentiment of disgust among many Britons with the whole "Westminster Village" world of British media and politics. "Events over recent weeks have made David's life intolerable and all of those involved should reflect long and hard over that fact," they said. © 2003 Reuters

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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