Blair: I will give evidence to inquiry

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is to give evidence to the judicial inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, the premiere said today.

Mr Blair said he would be among those who would be talking to the head of the enquiry Lord Hutton.

The Prime Minister’s announcement came in Seoul, South Korea where he was on the latest leg of a diplomatic marathon dogged by the issue of Dr Kelly’s apparent suicide.

Mr Blair said: “Of course there are things that I will talk about to the inquiry, as will others.“

Mr Blair's surprise statement came as he was challenged to rain back Labour backbenchers attacking the BBC.

Mr Blair told reporters: “First of all, as I said yesterday, I do think this is a time for respect and restraint, not for recrimination of any sort, and in addition I would say that of course there are things that I will talk about to the inquiry, as will others.

“But I think the right and proper process is 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 fact.”

Mr Blair describes Dr Kelly’s death as “a terrible, terrible tragedy”.

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