BBC Chairman quizzed again by Kelly inquiry

BBC chairman Gavyn Davies returned to the witness box at the Hutton Inquiry today for the start of the last full day of evidence.

Today’s evidence brings to a close 22 days of oral evidence to the inquiry, which began on August 11 following the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly.

Today also marks the first anniversary of the publication of the UK government’s dossier on Iraq’s alleged WMD.

Mr Davies was expected to be asked about a letter written by UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon on July 8, which raised the possibility of whether the BBC would be prepared to disclose the name of reporter Andrew Gilligan’s source in confidence.

He could also be asked to clear up the discrepancy between his evidence on August 28 that the “gist” of a second letter from Mr Hoon bearing Dr Kelly’s name had been released by the UK government.

On Monday, Mr Hoon said he did not believe his office had leaked the letter and implied that the information had come from the BBC.

Mr Davies, also in his evidence in chief, criticised Mr Gilligan for briefing MPs on Britain's Foreign Affairs Committee which was to due question Dr Kelly.

The BBC chairman said such actions might have increased the pressures on the former UN weapons inspector.

He was being examined by his own counsel today and cross-examined by counsel for the UK government and the inquiry.

Also appearing today was Dr Kelly’s line manager, Dr Bryan Wells, director of Britain's MoD’s proliferation and arms control secretariat, Dr Wells’s deputy Patrick Lamb, and two of the scientist’s work colleagues, James Harrison and Wing Commander John Clark.