Hutton inquiry: Key points

Lord Hutton opened his inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice, central London, on Friday 1 August. He began by asking those present to observe a minute's silence

Lord Hutton began his opening statement by saying he would ensure the procedures at the inquiry would be fair, and that he would proceed with urgency.

It would be an inquiry conducted by him, not a trial between interested parties.

He would decide what witnesses would be called and the extent of their evidence.

The inquiry would next sit on Monday 11 August.

It will take evidence in chronological order.

Lord Hutton's questions

The first witnesses will be from the MoD, who will be asked about Dr Kelly's expertise, his knowledge of the September dossier and his role in preparing it.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon will both be asked what they knew of decisions made in relation to Dr Kelly.

BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan will be asked about his meetings with Dr Kelly, the preparation of his Today programme report and whether the government were informed about it in advance.

Other BBC journalists Susan Watts and Gavin Hewitt will be asked similar questions about their reports.

How Dr Kelly's name became known to journalists will be examined.

Why the decision was taken within government for Dr Kelly to give evidence to parliamentary committees and what arrangements were made for his "health and well being" will also be explored.

MoD officials will be asked about discussions they had with or about Dr Kelly after he had told them he met Gilligan, and minutes of all relevant Whitehall meetings will be requested.

BBC officials will be asked why they had refused to name Dr Kelly as the source of their reports.

Evidence will be sought about the discovery of four electro-cardiogram pads attached to Dr Kelly's body. The post-mortem examination found the scientist was suffering from a "significant degree" of coronary heart disease, although this played a role only in the speed of his death rather than the cause.

A psychiatrist and friends and family of Dr Kelly will be asked about his state of mind.

The inquiry

There will be two quite separate stages - the first will focus on an account of events from those who took part in them.

The first stage will also deal with discrepancies and unanswered questions that, in Lord Hutton's words, would "no doubt arise".

An adjournment will follow, during which people will be notified of possible criticisms

Those people will be invited back for the second stage of the inquiry so they can be examined further by their own legal representatives, and cross-examined by others'.

David Kelly's wife and possibly his daughters may also give evidence.

The inquiry website will have a transcript of each day's hearings.

Only issues of national security will prevent the inquiry sitting in public and the media being free to report everything.

Documents and statements submitted by one party will not be disclosed in advance to other parties.

The BBC, the Kelly family, the MoD and Cabinet Office have all lodged documents or information with the inquiry already.