Tim Blair

SILVER LINING

How much of his book deal will Andrew Gilligan donate to David Kelly’s widow?

He had faced the most withering scrutiny any journalist has ever had to endure (editor's note: give me a break) and been accused of misleading MPs and undermining the reputation of the BBC. Even his own boss said Andrew Gilligan, the BBC reporter at the heart of the Hutton Inquiry, 'paints in primary colours rather than something more subtle'.

But Today's defence correspondent, who accused Downing Street of 'sexing up' intelligence to make the case for war in Iraq, is set to have the last laugh with a book deal for his story that could earn him up to £250,000.

As well as detailing his relationship with MoD weapons expert Dr David Kelly, who committed suicide last summer after being named as the journalist's suspected source, Gilligan is thought to have several sensational revelations up his sleeve, including further details of his relationship with Kelly going well beyond the scope of the Hutton Inquiry.

Or well beyond what he was prepared to tell the Hutton Inquiry. Got to keep an eye on that book deal.

(Via contributor J.F. Beck, who has not placed an advance order for Gilligan's gibberish)

UPDATE. But he has ordered this. And, as of one minute ago, so have I.

Posted by Tim Blair at January 5, 2004 12:25 PM