Dennis Benson

On the night of July 16th I was staying in a Bristol hotel. As I went down to breakfast I saw a headline announcing ‘Death of a good man’ and at the table someone commented that it was all very sad and very convenient for the government. The dead man’s name was Iraq weapons inspector Dr David Kelly, a scientist, who had just been exposed as the BBC’s ‘mole’ in a radio report accusing No 10 of making an Iraqi intelligence dossier ‘sexier’ to justify war. Over the past few days it was clear that Dr Kelly was under great pressure, not least from the so-called ‘spin-doctors’ who at that time were powerful figures near the heart of government.

Dr Kelly’s body was found at an Oxfordshire beauty spot just five miles from his home. There was great speculation in the media but what we didn’t clearly understand then was the extent of the deception being practiced in regard to the supposed weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Nonetheless there was an air of mystery surrounding the tragic death particularly after paramedics, who were called to the scene, claimed to have seen little evidence of blood.

And ever since that fatal day the speculation has continued albeit often overshadowed by revelations, at the Chilcot inquiry, suggesting that the nation was fed a whole series of lies. Ironically it was a Minister of the coalition that first exploded into print. The now Lib Dem junior Transport Minister, Norman Baker, published in 2007 a book entitled ‘The Strange Death of David Kelly’. Beginning with ‘artery doubts, Baker went on to make the gravest allegations aginst the State and the organisations involved in what he believes was a cover-up. He went on to claim that ‘murder’ was carried out by pro-invasion Iraqis. It has to be said that there was little real evidence in the work which was subsequently described by writer David Aaronvitch in his book ‘Voodoo Histories’ as a good example of how ‘to build a baroque cathedral of allegation out of piss and wind’. And there for the time the story rested in an uneasy uncertainty of fantasy versus horrendous scandal.

But now there is another twist to the tragic tale. A significant number of leading medical experts have demanded an inquest . They have been supported by the former Coroner for West Yorkshitre, James Turnbull, who insists that one of the purposes of an inquest is to allay suspicion. He describes as naive at least the reason given at the time for not having a further hearing after the Hutton inquiry. It was said that a further hearing would cause further distress to the family. As for the Hutton inquiry itself, it has to be said that the very fact of the Chilcot version demonstrates the lack of confidence that exists in its findings.

The team of eminent doctors has prepared a report for the Attorney General saying it would have been impossible for Dr Kelly to have died in the way described on his death certificate. They say that nobody could lose a fatal dose of blood through the small artery which was found cut on the deceased body. They point out that the blood vessel in question is the width of a matchstick and the amount of blood loss necessary to impair life (2,700ml) would have been impossible. They also point out that studies under the control of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases show that out of 12,286, only six patients died from such a form of self-harm.

The experts also question the apparent lack of evidence regarding bloodstained/soaked leaf litter, soil and leaves. All in all it is difficult not to feel gtreat unease at what is said and , according to The Times newspaper, Dominc Grieve, the Attorney General, is understood to have concerns about the official account. He is said to be awaiting fresh evidence before a new inquest can be considered.

The whole nation is sickened by all that has emerged about the invasion of Iraq, a step supported politically by all but the Lib Dems. But most will surely wish to have the death of a good and brave man fully explained. He was villified for telling the truth and we owe him at least that  his final verdict should be an honest one. 

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                                                        CRICKET..WHAT A DAY!

The Twenty 20 finals day at the Rosebowl was a wonderful finale to this years extended competition. The weather did its best to spoil the enjoyment of a sell-out crowd but it failed and almost everyone was still in their seats- on the edge of them actually- at 10.50pm.

The final went down to the last ball of the last over and even then the scores were tied. But someone had considered that possiblity and Hampshire triumphed, having lost fewer wickets.

But over 150 games have been played in this year’s competition and it was clearly an overkill. Someone should remind the cricket authorities of the old adage about geese that lay golden eggs!

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  QUIZ ANSWERS FROM YESTERDAY;    1 Coronation Street    2. Japan

QUIZ FOR TODAY;      1   Which band followed Figaro in 1978 with a song called ‘Beautiful Lover?    2.   What was the first ever arcade video game, which was released in 1978?

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