January 27, 2004
SECOND CRISIS DODGED:
Hutton: The verdict: IT WAS the call every journalist in Westminster was waiting for — and Britain’s top political editor TREVOR KAVANAGH got it. (Trevor Kavanagh, 1/28/04, The Sun)
For days the big question at the Commons has been the verdict of Lord Hutton’s report on the death of Dr David Kelly.And before MPs and the Cabinet got to hear the conclusions of Lord Hutton, Trevor noted them all down from a trusted source — then set about writing the Scoop of the Year.
TONY Blair is today sensationally cleared of any “dishonourable or underhand” conduct leading to the suicide of tragic scientist David Kelly.
Lord Hutton’s long-awaited report into Dr Kelly’s death also exonerates ex-Downing Street media boss Alastair Campbell.
And it makes only passing criticism of the Defence ministry headed by embattled Geoff Hoon.
But the document — top secret until it is published officially at noon today — is a devastating indictment of the BBC and its defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan.
Not a bad 48 hours for Mr. Blair, eh? Posted by Orrin Judd at January 27, 2004 11:47 PM
One assumes that all the good news is related, doesn't one?
Posted by: David Cohen at January 28, 2004 4:34 AMI agree, Mr. Judd, that Lord Hutton's verdict is a benefit to us. And the verdict's admonishment of the BBC long overdue. With those substantive points aside, I wonder whether we should cheer a 'commission' judging an elected government.
Just sakin'.
Posted by: Fred Jacobsen at January 28, 2004 4:37 AMFred:
Cheer not the act of judging but the verdict itself.
Posted by: oj at January 28, 2004 8:07 AMThe question is what will Tony do with these victories. I, who am very vindictive, would start purging the party of the disloyal and launch a campaign against the BBC. Repealing the Television tax would be a very popular move.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at January 28, 2004 5:54 PM