Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is criticised by Lord Hutton for failing to tell Dr David Kelly that he was about to be thrust into the full glare of the media spotlight.
It would have been "very upsetting" for Dr Kelly to learn in a 46-second phone call that his name had been confirmed to the press, Lord Hutton said in his report into the weapons expert's death.
Lord Hutton said the MoD was "at fault" for not telling Dr Kelly that press officers would confirm his name to reporters if asked. On July 8th last year the MoD issued a statement saying an individual had come forward who admitted to meeting Mr Gilligan. Press officers at the MoD were given a "question and answer" briefing paper to use when responding to the queries about the official which were bound to come from journalists after the statement was released.
The policy was to confirm Dr Kelly's name if a reporter guessed it correctly. At about 5.30 p.m. on July 9th, MoD head of news Pam Teare confirmed Dr Kelly's name to a Financial Times reporter.
Lord Hutton said: "The MoD was at fault and is to be criticised for not informing Dr Kelly that its press office would confirm his name if a journalist suggested it." He said he was "satisfied" Dr Kelly realised his name would eventually come out. - (PA)