Howard calls Hutton Report leak to The Sun a 'disgrace'

Jennifer Whitehead,

January 28, 2004

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Howard calls Hutton Report leak to The Sun a 'disgrace'

LONDON - Opposition leader Michael Howard has already called for an inquiry into the leaking of extracts from the Hutton Report published this morning in The Sun, which clear the government and blast the BBC.

The Conservative Party leader said he would be calling on the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to conduct a full inquiry into the leak. Arriving at the Cabinet Rooms this morning to examine the report, he described the leak as "disgraceful".

The Sun has splashed the story on its front page, claiming a "World Exclusive", and says that it clears Prime Minister Tony Blair of using a "sneaky ploy" to name Dr David Kelly; that defence minister Geoff Hoon is "off the hook"; but that the BBC is at fault. Crucially it says that and that BBC Radio 4 'Today' reporter Andrew Gilligan's story, which was at the heart of the case, was "unfounded".

The paper, which backed the war in Iraq, also says that former Downing Street communications director Alastair Campbell is in the clear.

Political editor Trevor Kavanagh is reported to have said that the leak was given to him over the phone by a person who had no financial or political motive.

BBC's 'Today' programme broadcast news of The Sun's scoop, which describes the corporation's editiorial system as "defective", but were obviously stung by the harshness of the findings. Presenters were at pains to point out the irony of Lord Hutton's report, which looked into government spin, being leaked and potentially spun to make the government look good.

All of the other newspapers have cleared later editions to cover The Sun's report -- pushing the other big news story of the day, the close result of the vote on university tuition fees, to the inside pages.

The Hutton Report is due to be published this afternoon.

The Guardian led with the headline: "Blame falls on the BBC as Hutton report leaks"; at The Times it was: "A battle won -- now for the war"; at The Daily Telegraph: "Blair cleared by Hutton after scraping home on top-up fees"; and the Daily Mail led with "Furore over Hutton Leak"; The Independent: Round one: Blair scrapes to victory, Round Two: Now Lord Hutton awaits".

Curiously, the Daily Mirror, with the headline "Hutton Leaked", was also claiming a world exclusive.

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