To: PartyTime who wrote (531395 ) 1/28/2004 2:53:50 PM From: Thomas A Watson Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 769670 Dear lying and libeling PartyTime, Looks like truth trumps your never ending dishonesty. BBC chairman Gavyn Davies has resigned in the wake of Lord Hutton's criticisms of the corporation's reports. Mr Davies told the corporation's governors of his decision as they met at 1700 GMT. It comes after Lord Hutton said the suggestion in BBC reports that the government "sexed up" its dossier on Iraq's weapons with unreliable intelligence was "unfounded". And he criticised "defective" BBC editorial processes over defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan's broadcasts of the claims on the Today programme. THE HUTTON REPORT Full Report (PDF file 2MB) Hutton report in full (html version) Chapter 12: Summary Davies resignation statement In his resignation statement, Mr Davies said the people at the top of organisations should accept responsibility for their actions. "I have been brought up to believe that you cannot choose your own referee, and that the referee's decision is final," he said. But he questioned whether Lord Hutton's "bald conclusions" on the dossier's production could be reconciled with the balance of the inquiry's evidence. And he asked whether his conclusions about the use of sources whose remarks could not be verified constituted a "threat to the freedom of the press in this country". Lord Hutton also said he was satisfied Dr Kelly had killed himself after being named as the suspected source of the BBC's controversial weapons dossier story. HAVE YOUR SAY Let's just hope it shakes up the BBC to be more the type of broadcaster they used to be Mike, UK Send us your comments Prime Minister Tony Blair said the report showed "the allegation that I or anybody else lied to the House or deliberately misled the country by falsifying intelligence of weapons of mass destruction is itself the real lie". "I simply ask that those that have made it and repeated it over all these months now withdraw it fully, openly and clearly," he said. In other key developments: * BBC director general Greg Dyke said the corporation apologised for things which were wrong in Mr Gilligan's reports and pointed to changes in the corporation's procedures * But Mr Dyke argued Dr Kelly had been a credible source and provided they were reported accurately it was right the public should hear his views * Former Downing Street media chief Alastair Campbell said: "If the government had faced the level of criticisms which today Lord Hutton's report has directed at the BBC, there would have been resignations by now, several resignations at several levels." * Lord Hutton said the BBC governors should have properly investigated Downing Street's complaints as they defended the corporation's independence * Lord Hutton said Tony Blair's wish for the dossier to make a persuasive case might have "subconsciously influenced" Joint Intelligence Committee chairman John Scarlett to use stronger words than usual but Mr Scarlett had acted to ensure the dossier was consistent with reliable intelligence * There was no "dishonourable, underhand or duplicitous strategy" by the government to leak Dr Kelly's name covertly to help its battle with the BBC * The Ministry of Defence was "at fault" for failing to tell Dr Kelly that his identity as the suspected source would be confirmed to journalists who suggested it, said the report * Lord Hutton "deplored" the leak of some his findings in the Sun newspaper and is looking at an investigation and possible legal action news.bbc.co.uk