Intelligence concerns
Lord Hutton did not address evidence that the Ministry of Defence failed to relay to the joint intelligence committee concerns expressed by senior members of the defence intelligence staff about the content of the dossier. That failure was criticised by parliament's intelligence and security committee but Lord Hutton said: "I consider that it is unnecessary for me to express an opinion on it." The 45 minute claim Lord Hutton did not comment on the government's apparent failure to distinguish between long range and battlefield weapons when it said Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) could launch chemical and biological weapons within 45 minutes. That claim referred to battlefield weapons only. Lord Hutton said only: "A consideration of this distinction does not fall within my terms of reference."
Other Kelly evidence
Mr Davies questioned whether Lord Hutton had fully taken into account the taped telephone conversation between David Kelly and Susan Watts, the BBC Newsnight correspondent. BBC executives believe Ms Watts' conversation helps to corroborate Andrew Gilligan's allegation, although Ms Watts has argued her bosses have misrepresented elements of the conversation to support their case.
Other Campbell evidence
The BBC has criticised Alastair Campbell, the prime minister's former director of communications, over evidence he gave to the foreign affairs committee. The corporation claims he had made inaccurate assertions about the drafts of the dossier. But Lord Hutton said: "I consider that it is unnecessary for me to express an opinion on this criticism."
In a late submission to the inquiry released, the BBC claimed "the outstanding FAC/ISC issues are themselves so serious that, whilst unresolved, they alone would render it unsafe to give the government an unqualified endorsement on the dossier's preparation". It claimed the issues "go to the credibility of (at least) Mr Campbell".
Plea bargain' with Kelly
Lord Hutton failed to resolve contradictions between evidence set out by Mr Campbell and Geoff Hoon. Mr Campbell claimed in his diary that Mr Hoon, the defence secretary, had said Mr Kelly could be offered a "plea bargain" - a suggestion the weapons expert might be offered some form of deal if he co-operated with the government. Mr Hoon denied any deal had been contemplated.
Lord Hutton said it was "not necessary for me to resolve some differences and areas of uncertainty arising in the evidence of Mr Campbell and Mr Hoon."
The naming of Kelly
Lord Hutton said there was no covert strategy to make public Mr Kelly's name. But in a late submission to the inquiry lawyers acting for the Kelly family said "the government made a conscious decision to cause Dr Kelly's identity to be revealed . . in order to assist it in its battle with the BBC".
