11:50pm UK, Saturday August 23, 2003

Alastair Campbell urged Tony Blair to become "more combative" in dealing with critics over Iraq, papers released by the Hutton Inquiry have revealed.

180 Alastair Campbell close up hutton inquiry

Alistair Campbell

Among the previously undisclosed documents released on the inquiry's website is a lengthy briefing note to the Prime Minister.

The spin doctor's note tells Mr Blair how to handle MPs' concerns.

He accuses the BBC of trying to "contaminate" Mr Blair's success as a war leader in Iraq.

The documents also include a second note from Mr Campbell to the Prime Minister.

This urges Mr Blair to allow him to give evidence to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.

He mentions his role in chairing a key committee involved in compiling the Government's dossier on Iraqi weapons.

Together they give an insight into the mood in Downing Street in the weeks leading up to the death of Dr David Kelly.

It was the apparent suicide of the Government weapons expert which led to the inquiry being convened.


Around 6,000 pages of evidence from the Hutton Inquiry are available to the public on the internet.

There are so many documents and emails from the Government and BBC that it has taken two days to get them on to the inquiry's website.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair is spending the weekend at Chequers preparing for his grilling at the inquiry.

He will be quizzed about his role in the events leading up to the death of scientist Dr David Kelly.

Earlier, the inquiry took a chilling twist when it emerged Dr Kelly had predicted his own death six months ago.

The weapons scientist at the centre of Downing Street's row with the BBC said he would be "found dead in the woods" if Iraq was invaded.

LINK:

The Hutton Inquiry website