Bill

I read all the way through Dr. Kelly's testimony and I learned a few more interesting things.

First, this wasn't his first appearance before one of these committees. In the opening, reference is made to a prior experience of his before that committee.

Second, it wasn't as if he had never been involved with the press before, either. Dr. Kelly makes reference to a long period of time when he was the official to whom the press came for information about the inspection program in Iraq.

Third, the members of the committee seem to be largely treating Dr. Kelly with "kid gloves." They aren't really "after him," although they do press him on a couple of points. They also tell him that he has done the honorable thing, and that none of them believe that he was the reporter's main source, but was instead one of the three minor sources referred to in the reporter's work.

However, it is a bit disturbing that the press would be so hounding Dr. Kelly that he could not go to his own home, but had to hide out in a MoD "safe house." That is referred to in the testimony too. Still, you would surely think that, once his testimony were given, the pressure from the press would be off, as there would no longer be much useful information Dr. Kelly could give to the press, and he had all-but-vowed to not speak to the press again in any kind of an unguarded fashion.

The bottom line is that he didn't have to fear for his job, or being embarassed in public, or anything else. The whole mess should have been over.

So, why kill himself then, anyway?

Any bets on "natural causes?"

== Bill

Hugo Holbling

Some more information and commentary on this story, as well as an obituary. More.

Hugo Holbling

If anyone is still interested, here is an update.

Answerer

Like it or not, guys. Dr Kelly's death sure remind me of your ex-president John F. Kennedy's mysterious death(and thats of his brother and like-minded people) in 1960s.

Maybe CIA has a hand in it as usual. I hope they are not going for that BBC reporter next.

Jimmy Higgins

a packet of pain killers? Not that I've really ever contemplated slitting my wrists, but if I think about it, pain killers never come to mind. Is that a common thing in suicides involving this method?

mecca777

I suppose if he was really, really determined to commit suicide, it makes sense. He sent a load of e-mails to various people, claiming that he was going to fight to clear his reputation; he went for a walk near to his house, so that nobody would be overly suspicious if he wasn't seen for a few hours; the painkillers would have helped prevent him from seeking help after the cut if he changed his mind. Who knows what his mental state was like, given the pressure that was heaped on him over the last few weeks?

It's just absolutely disgusting to think that he was driven to such despair by what amounts to a war of words between a news corporation who weren't toeing the Government line and a Prime Minister who can't stand having his sainted "integrity" called into question. I hope that Hoon, Campbell and Blair feel very proud of themselves; already I see they've started with the "we mustn't say anything until a full independent investigation has been said" smokescreens.

Danya

Why was Kelly so upset? He was the one that came forward saying it may have been him in the first place , he was used to dealing with the press, and he had been in this business long enough that he couldn't have been so naive to think he wouldn't be questioned over his dealings with the press.

Why was he suicidal over having to answer questions in this hearing?

Jimmy Higgins

Perhaps the better question is why after the hearings?

Loren Pechtel

Probably he saw his situation in life coming apart.

Spanner71

The best thing to do at this point is to sit back and see if their choice of how to handle this situation jumps the pond. With situations in the past here involving Colby, Foster and, although some may argue, Brown you never know who might just meet an early end under convenient circumstances. I wouldn't expect anything like that here though, not in this particular situation. I think if anything like that does happen it will happen to someone much further below the radar than someone of Mr. Kellys stature. I hate to admit it but I think the current administration will get out from under this one by having select individuals (read CIA chief) fall on their respective swords. Who knows...