Blair to go before inquiry as BBC confirms Kelly as source

The British Prime Minster, Mr Tony Blair has said he will give evidence before the judicial inquiry established to examine the…

The British Prime Minster, Mr Tony Blair has said he will give evidence before the judicial inquiry established to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, whose body was found near his home on Friday.

A post mortem found Dr Kelly had bled to death in an apparent suicide.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference in South Korea this morning Mr Blair said he thought it was "the right and proper process that I speak to the judge who is the head of the inquiry, in the way that other people will, and he's allowed to get on with his job and establish the facts."

Mr Blair describes Dr Kelly's death as "a terrible, terrible tragedy".

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He went on: "I think people want and expect ourselves as politicians and yourselves as the media to show that respect and restraint."

He was speaking as the BBC's Director of News confirmed that Dr Kelly was the source of the controversial Iraq dossier story.

The BBC's director of news Richard Sambrook made the disclosure after speaking to Dr Kelly's family.

The BBC's admission lifts pressure on Mr Blair and Mr communications chief Mr Alastair Campbell.

Dr Kelly told MPs he was not behind the key accusations it contained.

The Corporation has been accused of increasing pressure on the weapons expert by refusing to say whether he was the source up until now.

The BBC said in a statement: "The BBC believes we accurately interpreted and reported the factual information obtained by us during interviews with Dr Kelly.

"Over the past few weeks we have been at pains to protect Dr Kelly being identified as the source of these reports.

"We clearly owed him a duty of confidentiality.

"Following his death we now believe, in order to end the continuing speculation, it is important to release this information as swiftly as possible."

Former Cabinet minister Mr Peter Mandelson this morning pointed the finger at the BBC and its "obsession" with Mr Mr Alastair Campbell

Mr Mandelson told The Observer much of the BBC's reporting was "simply not good enough".

Director-general Mr Greg Dyke and chairman Mr Gavyn Davies - both Labour supporters - had staked their reputations on a report that was "untrue", he said.

He added: "It was the BBC's obsession with Campbell that led more than anything else to the breakdown in relations between the Government and Britain's principal public service broadcaster."

Senior Labour backbencher Mr Gerald Kaufman also weighed in with a call to review the BBC's future.

Mr Kaufman, who chairs the Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee, said the BBC should be brought under the new Ofcom communications watchdog.

"The BBC has behaved deplorably and there are serious implications for its future," he told paper.

Mr Blair, meanwhile, has ruled out recalling Parliament in the wake of Dr Kelly's death.

He said a recall would "generate more heat than light" and said Dr Kelly's family should be allowed time to grieve.

The Prime Minister told Sky News: "I think as the local Conservative MP said, recalling Parliament would generate more heat than light. I don't think it would be appropriate.

"I think we should have a period of reflection and a period in which the judge can carry out the inquiry, and also allow the family time to grieve."

PA