The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Death of a conspiracy theory?

The pathologist who performed David Kelly’s post-mortem speaks out.

By Sophie Elmhirst Published 22 August 2010 11:28

The pathologist Nicholas Hunt, who performed the post-mortem examination of Dr David Kelly, has spoken out to the Sunday Times today.

He describes the death as a "textbook" case of suicide and says with interesting candour that he had "every reason to look for something untoward and would dearly love to have found something". However, in his view, "it was an absolute classic case of self-inflicted injury".

So, will this put an end to the conspiracy theories surrounding Kelly's death? Probably not. Ever since it was revealed that Lord (Brian) Hutton had ordered all files relating to Kelly's death to remain secret for 70 years, rumours have circulated, adding to pressure on the government to hold a further inquest. The publication of a letter in the Times by a group of doctors and legal experts who doubted the evidence around Kelly's death was consistent with suicide intensified the pressure even further.

Last week, the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, said that those calling for a new inquest may "have a valid point", but insisted he would need new evidence before complying with their demands. For his part, Hunt said he would welcome an inquest and had nothing to hide.

More from Sophie Elmhirst

View the discussion thread.

8 comments

Sun, 2010-08-22 13:04 — jeremiah

Was Kelly murdered? I don't know.

The questions I would ask are -

1. Why did the Government have a judicial inquiry under Lord Hutton instead of a coroner's investigation?

2. Why did the Government seal the Kelly files for 70 years?

3. What is the full story behind the conflict between the BBC and the Government?

I may be that Dr. Kelly simply killed himself because of the stress of the investigation. If that is so then it should be revealed through an open inquiry.

Sun, 2010-08-22 13:13 — Daragh McDowell (not verified)

Really? So a 'textbook' case of suicide involves a non-fatal dose of Copraximal, coupled with a cut to the ulnar artery, all coupled with a tiny amount of blood at the scene.

What 'textbook' is this man reading?

For the record I'm quite agnostic as to whether or not Kelly committed suicide. But I think this pathologist is not being completely honest.

Sun, 2010-08-22 19:28 — yoctobarryc

@jeremiah

Hutton, not the government, sealed the files away for 70 years.

He said the reason for this was to protect Hutton's family - to prevent newspapers dredging up grotty details.

Hutton has said that he will readily lift the seal if he is asked officially.

Sun, 2010-08-22 19:29 — yoctobarryc

Sorry, that should read "Kelly's family", not "Hutton's family"!!!!

Sun, 2010-08-22 19:37 — Clem the Gem

The elephant in the room is the culpability of the BBC, who left a source hanging in the breeze to be picked off. Always believed that it was a fundamental point of honourable journalism to protect your source. Leavbing Dr Kelly to the mercy of the Whitehall machine was unforgiveable, and dishonourable. As his reputation and life unravelled, no wonder poor Dr Kelly felt he had little option, being as he was about to lose both pension and future employment possibilities. A man with a reputation for honesty left in the cold by the journalists he trusted.

Sun, 2010-08-22 20:04 — swatantra

Grieve is playing politics. In Opposition the Tories were sowing seeds of doubt. The Attorney General should be above that sort of thing. In Govt: No enquiry.
Hunt is right; its a clear case of suicide. But if they want a further inquest, go ahead. Hope the Newspapers stirring it up pay for it.
Kelly simply couldn't cope with the public outing and humiliation.

Mon, 2010-08-23 00:42 — David Willoughby (not verified)

Surely if the death of Dr. Kelly was caused in some way by an outside agency and was not due to suicide, one may be certain that the "obvious" evidence would point to a "Textbook case of suicide." Any other set of circumstances would have meant that those outside agencies had not done their job properly. This does not mean that suicide should be ruled out but that the evidence should be completely re-examined and all the evidence and information regarding the case should be place in the Public Domain.