Dr David Kelly, Confirmed as source of BBC reports
Blair: 'Pleased'
British PM pleased at BBC admission
The BBC has confirmed that Dr David Kelly was the principal source of controversial news reports on the intelligence used by British Government ministers to justify war against Iraq.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking as he left Korea for China, said: "I am pleased that the BBC has made this announcement. Whatever the differences, no one wanted this tragedy to happen.
Dr Kelly's body was found near his home in Oxfordshire on Friday. He is believed to have taken his own life.
The BBC's Director of News, Richard Sambrook, said the corporation believed it had correctly interpreted and reported the information it had obtained from Dr Kelly during the interviews.
Mr Sambrook said that over the past few weeks the BBC had been at pains to protect Dr Kelly from being identified as being its source, but that it now agreed with his family to name him.
Mr Sambrook promised to support an independent inquiry to be carried out into events leading up to Dr Kelly's death.
Death sparks row in Labour camp
The controversy surrounding the doctor's death has also taken a further turn, with an internal row erupting within the Labour Party.
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, has said he is appalled by his party colleague Glenda Jackson MP, who has again called for the resignation of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.
Mr Prescott said that while he accepted Ms Jackson was entitled to her opinion, she must realise she did not have all the facts.
Tony Blair, meanwhile, has ruled out recalling parliament in the wake of Dr Kelly's death.
Mr Blair said a recall would generate more heat than light.
The British Conservative Party leader, Iain Duncan Smith, said parliament should be re-convened so that a tribunal could be established to investigate government handling of intelligence on Iraq.
Dr Kelly's family has blamed his death on the strain of being placed at the heart of the ferocious war between the BBC and the government.
In another development, it is reported that shortly before his death, Dr Kelly sent an e-mail to a friend in which he wrote of 'many dark actors playing games'.
