Still No Decision about a Full Inquest

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, said he hoped to settle any concerns about Dr David Kelly's death to 'give the public reassurance'.

His remarks raise the prospect that a full inquest, which could see Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell and other senior Labour figures questioned in public, could finally be held.

But the Attorney General said that before he applied for such a hearing he would need convincing evidence that the weapons expert had not committed suicide (my emphasis). Mr Grieve said he was unable to take any action until Ken Clarke, the Justice Secretary, decided whether to release a number of key documents from an archive used by Lord Hutton for his report. Mr Grieve said he could not apply on a "hunch" and had to take account of the feelings of Dr Kelly's close family, who have not called for a fresh investigation.

Surely the purpose of a full inquest would be that convincing evidence could be produced. The fact that the Hutton inquiry archive includes Dr Kelly's post mortem examination report, which Lord Hutton ordered sealed "in view of the distress that could be caused to Dr Kelly's wife and daughters" is enough evidence that his death may be suspicious, especially in view of recent reports that there was little or no blood at the scene. Dr Kelly's wife has never questioned the decision of the Hutton inquiry or commented upon the letter which a group of doctors signed and which stated that the official explanation was "extremely unlikely".

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'Suicide' Inquiry to be Reopened

The investigation into the death of weapons inspector Dr David Kelly is likely to be reopened.

The case has concerned Attorney General Dominic Grieve and - as the highest ranking law officer in England - he is considering an inquiry to review the suicide finding. At the same time Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is considering a request from campaigning doctors to release medical files relating to the death.

Medical experts have repeatedly questioned whether Dr Kelly could have taken his own life in the circumstances described by Lord Hutton upon the completion of his inquiry.

In January, it came to light that Lord Hutton secretly classified vital evidence relating to Dr Kelly's death, including medical and scientific records, the post-mortem report and photographs, for 70 years. This information was not included in the Hutton Report. A 30-year ban was placed on 'records provided which were not produced in evidence'.

A number of doctors have worked ceaselessly to secure an inquest into this case. They deserve their inquiry.

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David Kelly's Medical Records Secretly Barred

Lord Hutton, the peer who chaired the Hutton Inquiry into the Dr Kelly scandal, has secretly barred the release of all medical records, including the results of the post-mortem and unpublished evidence. The records will be kept under wraps for up to 70 years.

Dr Michael Powers QC, a doctor campaigning to overturn the Hutton findings, said," What is it about David Kelly's death which is so secret as to justify these reports being kept out of the public domain for 70 years?"

The normal rules on post-mortems allow close relatives and 'properly interested persons' to apply to see a copy of the report and to 'inspect' other documents.

Lord Hutton's measure has overridden these rules, so the files will not be opened until all people are likely to be dead.

Last night the Ministry of Justice was unable to explain the legal basis for Lord Hutton's order. Unable to explain? The Prime Minister should be called to explain the reasons in the House of Commons. Then again, with a report like this published this weekend, it wouldn't surprise me if Gordon Brown has more 'urgent' matters which require his attention.

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