September 2002: The British government publishes a report on Iraq's weapons' capability drafted by the Secret Intelligence Service.
The report includes a reference to Saddam Hussein's ability to deploy weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes. The Hutton inquiry was to hear from senior British intelligence officers that while Downing Street had asked that the dossier be made "as strong as possible" it did not over-ride the opinions of the intelligence community.
The BBC makes its accusations
May 2003: Journalist Andrew Gilligan in a report on the BBC radio programme Today says the government's dossier was "sexed-up" and that the 45-minute claim was inserted into the dossier with the government "probably" knowing it to be false. He also claimed the information had been inserted late and against the wishes of the intelligence services. The government strenuously denies the BBC accusations and calls on them to retract it.
Dr Kelly is named publicly
July 2003: Dr David Kelly, an expert on Iraq, tells his line manager he has had meetings with Andrew Gilligan but had not made the claims used in his report. The Ministry of Defence issues a statement saying a civil servant was the source for the BBC report. The MoD confirm to members of the press when guessed correctly that Dr Kelly is the civil servant. His name is revealed in press reports and he gives evidence before two parliamentary committees, one in public and televised.
Dr Kelly is found dead
July 2003: Days after his appearance before the parliamentary committees on July 17th Dr Kelly tells his wife he is going out for a walk. When he does not return his family set out to look for him and the police begin a search. The government scientist is found dead the following day in a wood close to his home in Oxfordshire. He killed himself by cutting his left wrist with his death hastened by swallowing a "concoction" of pills and a previously unknown heart condition
Blair announces an inquiry
July 2003: The news of the suicide of Iraq weapons expert Dr Kelly reaches Prime Minister Tony Blair in mid-flight from Washington to Tokyo.
He had been hailed as a hero during his address to the US Congress for his support on the Iraq war and was now being publicly accused of having blood on his hands. Mr Blair tells journalists he did not authorise the leaking of Kelly's name. He announces the setting up of an inquiry into the events surrounding the death of Dr Kelly.
The Hutton inquiry begins
August 2003: The inquiry begins presided over by Lord Hutton, a former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. During the course of the inquiry Lord Hutton hears evidence from Mr Blair, the Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, Ministry of Defence officials, Downing Street officials, members of the press, members of the BBC, intelligence officials and Dr Kelly's family. The inquiry lasts six weeks during which all the main parties have legal representation.
The report is published
January 2004: Lord Hutton's report into the death of Dr Kelly is finally made public. Concerned parties to the report are given copies the previous day. The Sun newspaper carries a leak of the report which prompts Lord Hutton to says he is considering what "investigative and legal action I should take". Lord Hutton gives a synopsis of the report's findings and Mr Blair makes a statement before the House of Commons. A full commons debate on the report will take place next Wednesday.