BBC under fire as it admits Dr Kelly was source...

[cantwealljustgetalong]

The BBC's credibility was called into question today after the corporation named David Kelly as the BBC's main source for Andrew Gilligan's Iraq dossier story which sparked the ferocious row with the government.

In a statement, the director of news Richard Sambrook revealed that the Ministry of Defence microbiologist, who committed suicide on Friday, was the principle source for reports that intelligence on Iraq was "sexed up".

....

The effect of the statement was to immediately shift focus from Tony Blair and onto the BBC with several politicians lining up to call for resignations at the top of the corporation.

...

"This raises extremely serious questions about the way the BBC is run; its credibility and its future as a public sector, publicly funded organisation," said Mr Kaufman.

...

Robert Jackson launched a scathing attacked on the BBC - he accused Gilligan of "sexing up" his own report and says the reporter is partly to blame for Dr Kelly's death.

...

And he told BBC News 24: "I think the fact of the matter is that Gilligan, under pressure from his news colleagues for a scoop, for an exclusive story, under pressure from the wider BBC establishment and its general vendetta against the government on the question of the war against Iraq, I believe he sexed up the whole story and this created the situation that led to the death of my consitutent.

...

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1002089,00.html

[I AM SPARTACUS]

1. Poodle should be the target of that vitriol, as well as...

suspect as accomplice in a serial murder investigation...

[renegade000]

2. my version:

"This raises extremely serious questions about the way the British government is run; its credibility and its future as a public sector, publicly funded organisation," said Mr. Sambrook.

[indictrichardperle]

3. why would the BBC be under-fire ?

Kelly was one of 3 or 4 sources, Kelly did meet with Gilligan three times. Maybe the BBC was trying to protect a source? Maybe Mr Kelly was afraid of some in his govt ?

The BBC should really turn up the heat on these lying bastards.

[VolcanoJen]

4. Dupe... locking

Please continue discussion about the BBC's relevations vis-a-vis Dr. Kelly in the original, earlier thread on this topic, which can be found here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=23624&mesg_id=23624&listing_type=search

cantwealljustgetalong, your link to the Guardian's take on the situation would be helpful within that thread.

Thanks!
VolcanoJen
DU Moderator