In quotes: Hutton inquiry opens

Lord Hutton is heading the inquiry

The inquiry into the death of weapons expert David Kelly has been opened by Lord Hutton.

In his opening address in London, he outlined his investigation into the circumstances surrounding the scientist's apparent suicide.

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"The inquiry will be conducted urgently in the public interest and procedures will be fair to all those giving evidence."

"I and I alone will decide what witnesses will be called and will direct evidence, allowing cross examination within limits."

"I should emphasise this is an inquiry to be conducted by me. This is not a trial conducted between interested parties who have conflicting cases to advance."

"I do not sit to decide between conflicting cases. I sit to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dr Kelly's death."

"It is for me to decide the order in which witnesses will be called."

"It is clearly important that I and the public should have fuller picture of the facts - the first task to flesh out that outline."

"Because this is not a trial of opposing parties, I do not propose to disclose in advance documents or witness statements given by one party to the inquiry to other parties."

"The report also states that four electrocardiogram electrode pads were found on his chest, two over each side of the upper chest area and two over each side of the lower chest area."

"It is my intention to conduct this inquiry in public unless considerations such as those of national security require me to sit in private.

"Unless such considerations arise it is important that the public should know every word of evidence which is spoken at this inquiry and should know the full contents of every document which is referred to in evidence."