London, Sept 15: British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and will be cross- examined next week at an inquiry into the apparent suicide of weapons adviser David Kelly, a lawyer for the inquiry said today. Hoon will be examined by his own counsel before being cross-examined by lawyers acting for Kelly's family, the British Broadcasting Corp. and the inquiry itself, James Dingemans said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair's communications chief, Alastair Campbell, was also recalled for cross examination by the inquiry, which is headed by senior judge Lord Hutton. Blair's two official spokesmen, Tom Kelly and Godric Smith, were also being called.
BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan would also face cross-examination during the second phase of the inquiry, which was set to start today.
Gilligan has identified Kelly as the source of his report that the government had overruled intelligence advisers by claiming in an intelligence dossier that Iraq could deploy some chemical and biological weapons in 45 minutes.
Dingemans said the inquiry would consider whether ``the Prime Minister and Mr. Alastair Campbell and other officials in no. 10 downing St. (Blair's office) responsible for intelligence being set out in the dossier which was incorrect or misleading or to which improper emphasis was given?''
Dingemans said Hoon and Campbell would appear before the inquiry next Monday, while Gilligan would be cross-examined on Wednesday. Bureau Report