Kelly widow may testify by video

Janice Kelly may want to avoid the trauma of appearing in person

The widow of Dr David Kelly has asked if she can give evidence to the Hutton inquiry into her husband's death via a video link.

The news comes on the day the inquiry published around 130 previously unreleased documents on its website.

One of them reveals BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan emailed a lengthy analysis of Downing Street press chief Alastair Campbell's evidence to two members of the Commons foreign affairs select committee.

Dr Kelly apparently committed suicide after he was revealed as the source of Mr Gilligan's report, that the Iraq dossier had been "sexed up" at the behest of Downing Street.

Mr Gilligan has already faced criticism for trying to influence the committee's inquiry, after it emerged he had emailed one member suggesting questions to ask Dr Kelly.

In further emails to committee members Richard Ottaway and John Maples, he said Mr Campbell's evidence had contained "inconsistencies, exaggerations, evasions and direct untruths".

NEXT WEEK'S WITNESSES Monday: Dr Kelly's widow Janice, members of his family and friends Tuesday: Michael Page, assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police and others involved in search for Dr Kelly; Dr Nicholas Hunt, who carried out the post-mortem examination; a psychiatrist Wednesday: A member of the Baha'i faith, of which Dr Kelly was a member Inquiry 'not Blair's Watergate'

It has also emerged Dr Kelly's widow Janice, who is due to appear before the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, has applied to give evidence via a video link.

An inquiry spokeswoman said she made the application in order to avoid coming to central London where the hearing has been conducted amid massive media interest.

The spokeswoman said: "It is up to the widow and the Kelly family to make a decision. The matter is very much with them."

Dr Kelly's daughter Rachel is also listed to testify on Monday, along with friends of the scientist and other family members.

A video link could be set up to the family's Oxfordshire home or another venue, a decision on which will be made over the weekend.

Mrs Kelly's evidence is expected to shed light on her husband's state of mind before his death.

Dry shoulder

An e-mail to her husband from his friend Tom Mangold on 9 July, the day after the MoD press statement went out saying an unnamed individual had come forward saying they had talked to Mr Gilligan, revealed he had guessed the scientist was the BBC's source.

Mr Mangold said: "The Times today quotes Hoon as identifying Gilligan's source in such a way that I feel it is someone I know and admire.

"Could we have a chat about this. I am available for help, consultation, a drink, a dry shoulder or whatever.

Dr Kelly simply replied: "Thanks. Not a good time to be in communication."

HUTTON INQUIRY Set up after apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly in July Dr Kelly was government expert in Iraq weapons programmes He was named as source of controversial BBC report Report alleged government had 'sexed up' a dossier on Iraq's weapons capability Government denies the allegations Witnessing Blair's historic appearance

Published e-mails between chairman of the BBC Gavyn Davies and Governor Dermot Gleeson reveal concerns about the soon-to-be former Number 10 press chief Alastair Campbell.

In response to thanks for his "surefooted leadership", Davies replied: "AC is a very determined and formidable operator, and we are by no means out of the woods yet."

Another key discovery among the latest documents is confirmation MI5 carried out a secret analysis of BBC reports on the government's Iraqi weapons dossier to identify the corporation's "mole".

Dr Kelly's neighbour, Ruth Absalom, and Mr Mangold are due to give evidence to the Hutton inquiry next week.

Other witnesses include Dr Nicholas Hunt, who performed the post mortem, Michael Page, the assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police, and those involved in recovering Dr Kelly's body.

Personnel from the defence intelligence staff will also be called on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the inquiry said there may be two witnesses, but their names are not being released.