23/07/2003
Hoon visits widow of MoD scientist
Under-fire Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has today visited the widow of Dr David Kelly – the MoD scientist who apparently committed suicide after he was outed as a possible source for a BBC report which was highly critical of the government.
Mr Hoon arrived at Janice Kelly's home in Southmoor, Oxfordshire, at 2pm today and stayed for around an hour and a quarter. He refused to comment on the content of his visit.
The Defence Secretary has been under pressure after it emerged that he had named Dr Kelly in a letter to the BBC – which subsequently found its way into the press. Mr Hoon has since been parrying allegations that it was he who was responsible for Dr Kelly's identification – not least those contained in the Financial Times yesterday claiming that he had personally intervened to out Dr Kelly.
As it stands, Tony Blair, his communications director Alistair Campbell and Geoff Hoon are all in the firing line – and with resignation calls gathering pace every day, Mr Hoon – as Dr Kelly's boss – is the most exposed position of all.
Dr David Kelly (59) disappeared from his home last Thursday afternoon, following a week of press attention. His body was recovered on Friday morning in a nearby forest – he had died as a result of haemorrhaging caused by a knife wound to his wrist.
Following the confirmation of his death, the BBC admitted that he had been the source of a Today programme report which claimed that the government had "sexed up" an intelligence dossier on Iraq's weapons capability which was released last February.
(GmcG)
Mr Hoon arrived at Janice Kelly's home in Southmoor, Oxfordshire, at 2pm today and stayed for around an hour and a quarter. He refused to comment on the content of his visit.
The Defence Secretary has been under pressure after it emerged that he had named Dr Kelly in a letter to the BBC – which subsequently found its way into the press. Mr Hoon has since been parrying allegations that it was he who was responsible for Dr Kelly's identification – not least those contained in the Financial Times yesterday claiming that he had personally intervened to out Dr Kelly.
As it stands, Tony Blair, his communications director Alistair Campbell and Geoff Hoon are all in the firing line – and with resignation calls gathering pace every day, Mr Hoon – as Dr Kelly's boss – is the most exposed position of all.
Dr David Kelly (59) disappeared from his home last Thursday afternoon, following a week of press attention. His body was recovered on Friday morning in a nearby forest – he had died as a result of haemorrhaging caused by a knife wound to his wrist.
Following the confirmation of his death, the BBC admitted that he had been the source of a Today programme report which claimed that the government had "sexed up" an intelligence dossier on Iraq's weapons capability which was released last February.
(GmcG)
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28 July 2003
Hutton inquiry to go ahead on August 1
The inquiry into the death of MoD weapons expert Dr David Kelly is set to go ahead on August 1. The man leading the inquiry, Lord Hutton, met with Dr Kelly's widow at her home on Saturday morning to agree the scheduling. Lord Hutton said that he had originally intended not to begin proceedings until after Dr Kelly's funeral.
Hutton inquiry to go ahead on August 1
The inquiry into the death of MoD weapons expert Dr David Kelly is set to go ahead on August 1. The man leading the inquiry, Lord Hutton, met with Dr Kelly's widow at her home on Saturday morning to agree the scheduling. Lord Hutton said that he had originally intended not to begin proceedings until after Dr Kelly's funeral.
21 July 2003
Law Lord will decide scope of Kelly inquiry
The top judge who is to head up the inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly has said that he shall have sole responsibility in deciding the scope of his inquiry. Lord Hutton, a Law Lord since 1997, has been appointed by the government to carry out an independent inquiry into the death.
Law Lord will decide scope of Kelly inquiry
The top judge who is to head up the inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly has said that he shall have sole responsibility in deciding the scope of his inquiry. Lord Hutton, a Law Lord since 1997, has been appointed by the government to carry out an independent inquiry into the death.
28 January 2004
Dr Kelly committed suicide over fear of public disgrace: Hutton
Dr David Kelly took his own life over fears of losing his job and of being publicly disgraced, the Hutton inquiry was told. According to today's report, a further contributory factor in the scientist's death was the fear that his life's work had been "totally undermined" and that he did not share his problems and feelings with other people.
Dr Kelly committed suicide over fear of public disgrace: Hutton
Dr David Kelly took his own life over fears of losing his job and of being publicly disgraced, the Hutton inquiry was told. According to today's report, a further contributory factor in the scientist's death was the fear that his life's work had been "totally undermined" and that he did not share his problems and feelings with other people.
22 July 2003
Blair distances himself in Kelly row
The onus is falling back on the government to provide answers as to how Dr David Kelly was outed as a possible source for a BBC report claiming that the government had 'sexed up' intelligence in their February dossier. Today it was Tony Blair's turn to distance himself from suggestions that he had allowed Dr Kelly's name to be leaked to the press.
Blair distances himself in Kelly row
The onus is falling back on the government to provide answers as to how Dr David Kelly was outed as a possible source for a BBC report claiming that the government had 'sexed up' intelligence in their February dossier. Today it was Tony Blair's turn to distance himself from suggestions that he had allowed Dr Kelly's name to be leaked to the press.
18 May 2010
BBC 'Sorry' For Queen Joke
The BBC has apologised after a radio presenter made an on-air joke about the Queen dying. BBC WM presenter, Danny Kelly played the national anthem as he made the joke during his afternoon show. A BBC spokesman said it had been a reference to an item that was published on its website.
BBC 'Sorry' For Queen Joke
The BBC has apologised after a radio presenter made an on-air joke about the Queen dying. BBC WM presenter, Danny Kelly played the national anthem as he made the joke during his afternoon show. A BBC spokesman said it had been a reference to an item that was published on its website.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.