Lord Hutton visited Dr David Kelly's grieving family today to discuss his forthcoming inquiry into the weapons expert's death.
The judge is expected to begin his independent investigation into the events that led to Dr Kelly's apparent suicide within days.
A spokesman for the inquiry said the meeting was "private" but Lord Hutton was thought to have met Dr Kelly's widow Janice, and other close family members to explain to them how the inquiry would function.
The MoD scientist's body was found two miles from his home in Southmoor, Oxfordshire, on Friday July 18th. He bled to death after cutting his wrist.
Broadcasters Sky News and ITN are making legal representations to Lord Hutton in a bid to have television cameras admitted to the inquiry hearings, a Sky spokeswoman said today.
The secretary to the inquiry, Lee Hughes, announced on Thursday that Lord Hutton had decided TV and radio broadcasts would be limited to the opening and closing statements.
No date has yet been set for the broadcasters to present their case, said the Sky spokeswoman.