Britain: The extent of Dr David Kelly's anguish after realising he could have been the source of the BBC's controversial "dodgy dossier" report was revealed in new documents published yesterday.
The Hutton inquiry issued a 32-page transcript of evidence given to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) by the weapons expert the day before he disappeared from his Oxfordshire home. Coincidentally, the report of the committee was also published yesterday.
Dr Kelly told MPs that he spent a "long weekend thinking very hard about the situation" after recognising himself in comments made by BBC defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan. The scientist "deeply regretted" his conversations with Mr Gilligan and recognised that issues discussed with him were "controversial".
Under questioning from Mr Michael Mates MP, during a private session on July 16th, Dr Kelly said: "I spent a long weekend thinking very hard about the situation, and I decided that the only way, my conscience of resolving the problem (sic), was to write to my line manager and indicate the interaction that I had with Andrew Gilligan.
"I found myself uncomfortable with the situation that I found myself in and so the only way of resolving that problem, because I thought, for three days before deciding to write, and my conscience dictated that I communicated what I had done in the best way that I could, and that's exactly what I did."
Asked by Mr Alan Howarth MP if he still felt comfortable with the fact that he had talked to Mr Gilligan, Dr Kelly said: "I, of course, deeply regret it with hindsight, but yes, if this had not arisen it would have been a useful meeting for me." He went on: "Regrettably I've discussed with him issues that are - now - controversial." Dr Kelly added that he regarded his meeting with Mr Gilligan as "more a private conversation" than a briefing.
Asked if his contact with the press had ever led to him being reprimanded before, Dr Kelly told the committee: "This is the first time I've ever got into any trouble." Mr Gilligan's report for Radio 4's Today programme on May 29th said No 10 "sexed up" an intelligence dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
Dr Kelly's admission that he was a source for the report was later revealed in a statement from Britain's Defence Secretary, Mr Geoff Hoon.
The scientist disappeared from home the day after giving evidence to the committee and his body was found the following morning. - (PA)