IN announcing the setting up of a judicial inquiry, it was apparent Downing Street was hoping for a narrow examination of the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly.

If those were the hopes, they were dashed by yesterday's statement from Lord Hutton, the judge selected to conduct the inquiry.

Lord Hutton made it clear it would be his decision, and his alone, to determine the scope of questions and the choice of witnesses.

And he stamped his authority on the issue by declaring that the bulk of the inquiry would be held in public.

If the inquiry is to have any credibility it is right that it is conducted outside the control of the Government. And it is right that evidence is heard in public. There must be no suspicion of a whitewash.

It is imperative that Lord Hutton is given the freedom to extend the scope of his investigation as far as necessary.

To do his job properly he must be given the opportunity to look into the wider issues of the Iraq dossier, the role of the BBC and the conduct of the Foreign Affairs select committee.

Dr Kelly's death cannot be fully explained without reference to the handling and presentation of intelligence in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

Tragic as the death of Dr Kelly may be, Lord Hutton's inquiry will touch on the very heart of Government. It will question the extent of the trust placed in the Government and the political process as a whole.

On such a matter of immense public interest no stone must be left unturned.

Jeffrey's no hero

UNDERSTANDABLY, there is a great deal of interest in the release from prison of Lord Jeffrey Archer.

It is to be hoped, however, the interest is short-lived and that he does not go on to enjoy some sort of folk hero status.

His wealth and celebrity status must not be allowed to mask the fact that he was found guilty of a crime deemed to be so serious that it warranted a four-year prison sentence.