Records of the Inquiry into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Dr David Kelly...

Records generated during the Hutton Inquiry.

• RJ 1 contains evidence considered by the inquiry.
• RJ 2 contains correspondence.
• RJ 3 contains records of media coverage.
• RJ 4 contains the Official Solicitor’s working papers.
• RJ 5 contains Counsel’s working papers.
• RJ 6 contains Lord Hutton’s annotated copies of the evidence.
• RJ 7 contains the inquiry’s archived website.

For the records of the Chilcot Inquiry, see CHIL

In 2025 Ministry of Justice

In July 2003 the UK Government invited Lord Hutton to conduct an investigation into the death of Dr David Kelly. Dr Kelly was a Ministry of Defence employee and former United Nations weapons inspector in Iraq who took his own life on 17 July 2003. The terms of reference were 'urgently to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Kelly.' The Inquiry reported to Lord Falconer, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs.

A small secretariat was established, headed by Lee Hughes of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), who was secretary to the Inquiry. James Dingemans QC was Senior Counsel for the Inquiry and Peter Knox was appointed as Junior Counsel. Martin Smith of Clifford Chance was the official Solicitor. Additional administrative support was provided by seconded DCA staff.

There were two phases to the Inquiry, which was held in Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice. The first phase lasted from 1 August to 3 September, with the Inquiry sitting four days a week (not Fridays). During this phase, witnesses were questioned by Counsel for the Inquiry.

During the second phase witnesses were re-called and cross examined not only by Counsel for the Inquiry but also by legal representatives of other interested parties. This phase lasted from 15 September to 25 September, again for four days a week.

Lord Hutton then retired to write his report, which was published on 28 January 2004.