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Blair in crisis Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters07-20-083345.asp?reg=EUROPE http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters07-20-083345.asp?reg=EUROPE Blair in crisis after Iraq expert's suicide By Mike Peacock LONDON, July 20 — Haunted by accusations he over-sold the need for war in Iraq and now by the suicide of a key player in the affair, Britain's Tony Blair stood mum when asked: ''Have you got blood on your hands Mr Prime Minister?'' As the affair turned into the biggest political crisis of Blair's six years as prime minister, there appeared to be no end to questions like the one which silenced him at a Saturday news conference during a visit to Japan. Some within his own Labour Party called for his resignation -- a demand he rejected. But with his popularity waning in opinion polls and the war in Iraq anything but over, political sources said the 50-year-old leader risked losing two of his closest comrades in power while his party threatened to fracture over a war most did not support. Blair's political fortunes took a turn for the worse with the discovery on Friday of the body of David Kelly, 59, a Defence Ministry biologist and former U.N. weapons inspector. After being forced into the public gaze, Kelly was found dead in countryside near his home with a wrist slashed. Political sources said Blair's right-hand man Alastair Campbell and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon may both be under threat. Much will depend on an independent inquiry into Kelly's death expected to be completed in September. The British Broadcasting Corp, under pressure itself over its handling of a report on the affair, said on Sunday that Kelly was the principal source behind its claim that Blair exaggerated intelligence to make the case for war in Iraq. The BBC report said the prime minister's team inflated intelligence, particularly a claim that before his ouster Iraqi President Saddam Hussein could unleash biological or chemical weapons at just 45 minutes notice. Last week, Kelly said he did not make that assertion. But his death underscored the viciousness of a war of words between the BBC and Campbell, Blair's communications director. Critics of the government said the affair put Kelly under terrible pressure by making him go public to try to discredit the BBC report and therefore clear Campbell and Blair. Blair's backers disagreed. ''What is absolutely clear is this whole series of events was started by the BBC,'' Gerald Kaufman, head of parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, told Sky Television. BROADER ISSUES Even as the bickering raged, the broader issues about Iraq kept plaguing Blair. Most Britons opposed military action before it happened and will be slow to forgive if the reasons Blair gave for doing so are not proved. His Labour Party will be even more aghast. If no evidence of banned weapons is turned up before his party's annual conference in late September, the prime minister could face open revolt, political heavyweights said. One senior Labour parliamentarian, not a frequent Blair critic, said Blair needed some evidence that Saddam had banned weapons. ''If he hasn't, the party will plunge into deeper turmoil than ever,'' the legislator told Reuters. ''A prime minister without a party will not be prime minister for long.'' Labour parliamentarians who opposed the Iraq war and much of Blair's political agenda said Blair should quit. ''There should be resignations. Bullets should be bitten,'' former minister Glenda Jackson said. She accused Blair's team of using an argument with the state broadcaster to divert attention from their main problem -- that no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. Blair has bought himself time by announcing an inquiry into Kelly's death. But if senior judge Lord Hutton criticises government figures when he reports back in September, it will be difficult for them to hang on. ''I'm sure when Lord Hutton comes to give his conclusions ...everybody who might be affected by those judgments has to reflect hard and long on their positions,'' Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of 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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