By IRNA
London : The British government have rejected calls for a fresh inquiry into the 2003 death of former Iraq arms inspector, David Kelly, following the publication of evidence in a new book by an MP, concluding it was unlikely he committed suicide.
Speaking during a brief debate in parliament on Tuesday, Justice Minister Lord Hunt said there were “no plans” for a new inquiry into the death of Kelly, after he was identified as the source behind claims that the UK exaggerated Iraq’s threat before the 2003 war.
Hunt said that there was a thorough inquiry ordered by the government led by Lord Hutton, who concluded the former arms inspector committed suicide and that he was “”satisfied that no other person was involved in the death.”
In his book, published last month, Liberal Democrat Norman Baker refers to exceptional reason for events to be fully investigated, witnesses to be cross-examined and a verdict to be reached beyond reasonable doubt.
Although Baker absolves Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency and the CIA in the US from any blame but suggested that perhaps some very nasty people in Iraq, who did not want the justification of the war being questioned, might have been behind his death.
But Hunt insisted that the government believed the inquiry was “conclusive” even though it was not statutory and no evidence was taken under oath.
“If any person has evidence, they can take it to the authorities- to the police-and there is a procedure for a further inquest to be held,” he said.
The suicide ruling, which also absolved the government of any wrongdoing, has also been questioned by eminent doctors and scientists on medical grounds, expressing doubts from evidence at the scene that he bled to death after his wrists were cut.