Press Notices

5 August 2003

BROADCASTING APPLICATION RULING - HUTTON INQUIRY

The Hutton Inquiry Press Notice

Lord Hutton has declined the application made by ITN, BSkyB, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV and IRN Radio to broadcast on television or radio the evidence of witnesses at the Inquiry investigating the death of Dr David Kelly. Lord Hutton had previously given permission for his opening statement to be broadcast and also for the statements of counsel to be broadcast. Issuing his ruling today, Lord Hutton cited two main reasons:

1. To avoid exposing witnesses to the additional strain which would be placed on a witness giving evidence to the Inquiry if his or her evidence were televised or broadcast. He also ruled that it would not be appropriate to distinguish between Ministers, BBC reporters, Senior Civil Servants and other witnesses. (Para 19-22)

2. That the absence of television filming and broadcasting of witnesses giving evidence does not mean that the Inquiry will not be a public one as required by the fundamental concept of open justice. (Para 23-25)

In reaching his decision Lord Hutton referred to previous Inquiries, such as the Arms to Iraq Inquiry, the BSE Inquiry and the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that had adopted a similar approach with regard to televising opening statements but not evidence from witnesses.

A full copy of Lord Hutton's ruling can be found on the official Inquiry website http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk

Note for Editors

1. Lord Hutton will not be giving any media interviews.

2. Media queries relating to the procedures of Lord Hutton's investigation should be directed to Mike Burrell in the DCA Press Office, Tel: 020-7210 8512/13.

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