Kennedy calls for fresh inquiry

Kennedy: 'British people should judge PM's conduct'

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy called for an independent inquiry into the case made for war with Iraq.

He told MPs Lord Hutton's probe into the death of Iraq weapons expert Dr David Kelly had not addressed the "fundamental" issue of the war.

It was "absolutely paramount" that an independent inquiry into the conflict now be held, he urged Tony Blair.

"We are still no closer to determining whether this country went to war on a false prospectus," he said.

Consent

Lord Hutton's report into the death of Dr Kelly rejected as "unfounded" claims that Downing Street "sexed up" the intelligence in a dossier outlining the threat from Iraq.

INQUIRY BACKGROUND September 2002: Government produces dossier about alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, including claim they could be deployed within 45 minutes May 2003: BBC Today programme's Andrew Gilligan broadcasts report of claims Downing Street "sexed up" dossier, with 45 mins claim included against intelligence agencies' wishes 10 July 2003:Dr David Kelly named as suspected source of report as government continues to deny the story 17 July 2003: Dr Kelly found dead August 2003: Lord Hutton begins six weeks of hearings about the circumstances around Dr Kelly's death Key points at-a-glance

Dr Kelly was found dead in July 2002 shortly after being named as the suspected source of a BBC report of claims that the intelligence had been exaggerated.

Mr Kennedy said if Dr Kelly's name was going to come into the public domain, he should have been asked to give his consent before he was identified.

The decision to identify him should have been delayed for 24 hours to allow him time to take advice on what to do next, he added.

BBC 'trust'

Mr Kennedy asked if the BBC management would now be required to introduce mechanisms to ensure that editorial shortcomings criticised by Lord Hutton in the report would not be repeated.

The BBC traded on trust, and it was "quite clear" that it had failed in that respect, he said.

That happened after he was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence as being the source for a BBC story about the way the government was presenting its case for war with Iraq.

Mr Kennedy said: "I believe the British people, not history, should be able to judge the prime minister's conduct - only an independent inquiry will enable this."