Hutton report to be published January 28

Lord Hutton’s report into the circumstances surrounding the death of British government weapons expert Dr David Kelly is to be published on January 28, it was announced today.

The decision means that Lord Hutton’s long-awaited conclusions will emerge the day after the crucial House of Commons vote on British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s plans for university tuition fees on January 27, bringing his two biggest headaches together in a dramatic way.

On the day of publication, the law lord Lord Hutton will make a televised statement summarising his findings, said a spokesman for the inquiry.

All parties represented at the inquiry – including the British government, the BBC and Dr Kelly’s family – will be given 24 hours’ notice of the report.

The inquiry spokesman said: “Lord Hutton’s report into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly will be sent to the printers on 19 January and laid and published in parliament on Wednesday 28 January.

“On the day of publication, Lord Hutton will make a statement summarising his report in Court 76 at the Royal Courts of Justice. His statement will be available for live broadcast on radio and television. Detailed timings will be announced in due course.

“Lord Hutton intends that the six parties represented at the inquiry will have 24 hours notice of the report.

“Parties will be required to sign an undertaking not to reveal the contents of the report before publication.”