MP calls on PM to widen hacking inquiry to include events prior to the death of David Kelly
20th July 2011
Following the Prime Minister's statement to the Commons, George Freeman asks the PM if the inquiry could include events leading up to the death of David Kelly.
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Does the Prime Minister agree that one of the most lamentable episodes in this sad affair was the death of David Kelly, a proud civil servant whose name was thrown to the media pack, putting him under intolerable pressure, which led to his suicide? Will my right hon. Friend give me an undertaking that the investigation will be given a remit to cover and look back at how that event unfolded?
The Prime Minister: The point that I would make to my hon. Friend is that we have to be careful that this inquiry does not go completely viral, as it were. It has to focus on the issues at hand. Obviously, the issue of David Kelly was looked at in detail in the Hutton inquiry, and I think that this inquiry has to make some progress.
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LATER IN THE DEBATE FOLLOWING THE PM'S STATEMENT
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): The Leader of the Opposition started by striking, as the Prime Minister did earlier, a tone of statesmanlike non-partisanship, and he had the attention of the House. Will he, as the Prime Minister did earlier, acknowledge the sins of his party, as ours, in the past 20 years and give a small apology for the excesses of media manipulation on his side of the House?
Edward Miliband: The hon. Gentleman obviously was not listening to what I was saying in my speech. We need to change—
