The US and British case for going to war against Iraq has taken another blow with claims that coalition weapons inspectors have failed to find any weapons of mass destruction.
The BBC reported that a US administration source had told the Corporation that the Iraq Survey Group will publish an interim report next month saying that it has found no WMDs, delivery systems or laboratories.
The document will, however, include computer programmes, files, paperwork and pictures suggesting Saddam's regime was developing a WMD programme.
Downing Street described The Daily Politicsprogramme's report as "speculation", though it acknowledged that the interim report was unlikely to reach firm conclusions about Iraq's alleged WMD.
A No 10 spokesman said: "People should wait. The reports today are speculation about an unfinished draft of an interim report that has not even been presented yet. And when it comes it will be an interim report, the ISG's work will go on.
"The UK has played a significant role in the work of the ISG, including providing its deputy director, and our clear expectation is that this interim report will not reach firm conclusions about Iraq's possession of WMD."
PA