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CNN Sunday Morning
Kelly's Death Ruled Suicide
Aired July 20, 2003 - 11:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: British Prime Minister Tony Blair says it is a terrible tragedy that British scientist David Kelly has died. Police are saying Kelly apparently killed himself. Kelly is the BBC's source for a report that the government exaggerated the threat from Iraq during the buildup to the war with that country. More now on that story from ITN reporter John Ray.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN RAY, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There were flowers for the family of David Kelly. At his home, forensic teams were still at work as police piece together his final moments alone on this hillside, a death that casts a long and deep shadow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The postmortem has revealed that the cause of death was hemorrhaging from the wound to his left wrist. The injury is consistent with having been caused by a bladed object. We've recovered a knife and an open packet of Coproxamol tablets at the scene.
RAY: In the hours before his suicide, it's reported Dr. Kelly e- mailed friends and complained of many dark actors playing games. So who did he fear? And on whom will the inquiry focus?
Alistair Campbell, director of government communications, determined to clear his name, after the BBC claimed he sexed up evidence against Iraq. But did he care enough what his campaign might cost others?
ALISTAIR CAMPBELL, BRITISH DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS: I'm under much pressure to resign.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no doubt that this is a government that puts spin before everything else, puts its own reputation before everything else. And it may well be that that was a part of the cause.
RAY: Geoff Hoon, defense secretary, and Dr. Kelly's boss, insists the scientist volunteered his name as the BBC's mole. But what pressure was he put under behind the scenes?
GEOFF HOON, BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY: That's a matter for the inquiry. We will cooperate fully with what will be an independent inquiry, conducted by one of our most senior judges.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you resign? HOON: I will look very carefully at what the inquiry has to say.
RAY: Andrew Gilligan and the BBC, where there's serious concern at a high level, ITV news has learned, at how the affair has been handled. Some critics now doubt the merits of Mr. Gilligan's original claims.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think now the BBC have got to have a look, once again, at the origin of this story, which I believe now is basically extremely contrived.
RAY: For Dr. Kelly's family, there's only one question that matters. Why did a husband and father die?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We loved him very much, and we'll miss his warmth, humor, and humanity. Events over recent weeks have made David's life intolerable, and all of those involved should reflect long and hard on this fact.
RAY: And answers, when they come, might leave many reputations shredded and careers ended.
John Ray, ITV News.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 20, 2003 - 11:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: British Prime Minister Tony Blair says it is a terrible tragedy that British scientist David Kelly has died. Police are saying Kelly apparently killed himself. Kelly is the BBC's source for a report that the government exaggerated the threat from Iraq during the buildup to the war with that country. More now on that story from ITN reporter John Ray.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN RAY, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There were flowers for the family of David Kelly. At his home, forensic teams were still at work as police piece together his final moments alone on this hillside, a death that casts a long and deep shadow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The postmortem has revealed that the cause of death was hemorrhaging from the wound to his left wrist. The injury is consistent with having been caused by a bladed object. We've recovered a knife and an open packet of Coproxamol tablets at the scene.
RAY: In the hours before his suicide, it's reported Dr. Kelly e- mailed friends and complained of many dark actors playing games. So who did he fear? And on whom will the inquiry focus?
Alistair Campbell, director of government communications, determined to clear his name, after the BBC claimed he sexed up evidence against Iraq. But did he care enough what his campaign might cost others?
ALISTAIR CAMPBELL, BRITISH DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS: I'm under much pressure to resign.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no doubt that this is a government that puts spin before everything else, puts its own reputation before everything else. And it may well be that that was a part of the cause.
RAY: Geoff Hoon, defense secretary, and Dr. Kelly's boss, insists the scientist volunteered his name as the BBC's mole. But what pressure was he put under behind the scenes?
GEOFF HOON, BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY: That's a matter for the inquiry. We will cooperate fully with what will be an independent inquiry, conducted by one of our most senior judges.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you resign? HOON: I will look very carefully at what the inquiry has to say.
RAY: Andrew Gilligan and the BBC, where there's serious concern at a high level, ITV news has learned, at how the affair has been handled. Some critics now doubt the merits of Mr. Gilligan's original claims.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think now the BBC have got to have a look, once again, at the origin of this story, which I believe now is basically extremely contrived.
RAY: For Dr. Kelly's family, there's only one question that matters. Why did a husband and father die?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We loved him very much, and we'll miss his warmth, humor, and humanity. Events over recent weeks have made David's life intolerable, and all of those involved should reflect long and hard on this fact.
RAY: And answers, when they come, might leave many reputations shredded and careers ended.
John Ray, ITV News.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
