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PM welcomes BBC source admission
LONDON, England -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed a BBC admission that a defense expert, found dead three days ago, was the source for reports that the government exaggerated intelligence on Iraqi weapons. Blair also said Sunday that he would give evidence to an independent judicial inquiry into the death of former U.N. weapons inspector David Kelly, but the prime minister rejected calls for his resignation. The BBC announced Sunday that Kelly was the source of reports by the public broadcaster that Downing Street had "sexed up" a dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in order to justify going to war. The announcement was made after the BBC had spoken with Kelly's family. The dossier allegations caused a bitter row between the BBC and the British government. Kelly was grilled by a parliamentary committee, where he denied being the main source of a radio report by journalist Andrew Gilligan. Gillian issued a separate statement Sunday, saying he "did not misquote or misrepresent" Kelly in his report. Blair said he was "pleased that the BBC has made this announcement." "Whatever the difference, no one wanted this tragedy to happen," he said in a statement. "I know that everyone, including the BBC, has been shocked by it." But the prime minister said he would not quit over the Iraqi weapons issue. "You've got to have broad shoulders in this job ... I've got them," Reuters quoted Blair as saying. Blair's comments came as he prepared to leave Seoul, South Korea, for Beijing, China, as part of an Asian tour. Kelly was found dead Friday in countryside around eight kilometers (five miles) from his home in Southmoor, Oxfordshire. Police say he bled to death from a cut to his left wrist. A knife and a packet of painkillers were found with the body. The British government and the BBC have been under increasing pressure to explain their role in the events leading up to Kelly's death. "The BBC believes we accurately interpreted and reported the factual information obtained by us during interviews with Dr Kelly," the BBC said in a statement. "Following his death, we now believe, in order to end the continuing speculation, it is important to release this information as swiftly as possible. We did not release it until this morning at the request of Dr. Kelly's family. "We continue to believe we were right to place Dr. Kelly's views in the public domain. However, the BBC is profoundly sorry that his involvement as our source has ended so tragically." (Statement in full) Kelly's family said in a statement that his professional life was one of "integrity, honor and dedication to finding the truth, often in the most difficult circumstances. "Events over recent weeks have made David's life intolerable, and all of those involved should reflect long and hard on this fact." (Full story) The New York Times said Kelly, a former United Nation's weapons inspector, had e-mailed a reporter before his death, describing "many dark actors playing games." Blair faced tough questions about Kelly's death at a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Tokyo Saturday. As the press conference ended a journalist shouted: "Have you got blood on your hands prime minister? Are you going to resign?" That question was not answered because Japanese authorities were wrapping up the briefing. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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