*Ø* Blogmanac | Mr Phoenix lives to fight another day

With the Hutton report's exoneration, Tony Blair has sailed through yet another potential political crisis, writes Kamal Ahmed
January 28

"'It was so good for them, maybe Alastair Campbell gave Lord Hutton advice on how to write it,' muttered one disgruntled journalist as he left court 76 of the royal courts of justice.

"Anyone expecting 'a plague on all your houses' report from Lord Hutton on the death of Dr David Kelly or even a smoking gun that would go the heart of the government machine would have been sorely disappointed by today's events.

"Lord Hutton, in his measured brogue, delivered a damning indictment of BBC editorial processes and governance. At the same time, he flourished a 'get out of jail card' for Downing Street, saying that he understood the reasons for the infamous naming strategy and that the BBC's claims against the prime minister were 'unfounded'. Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell must have been slapping themselves on the back at such a wholehearted endorsement of their position ...

"Later, Mr Davies [BBC Chairman] took the only route open to him and resigned ...

"Journalists muttered 'whitewash' as they left court 76 at just before 1.45pm this afternoon. Lord Hutton has successfully opened a flank on the BBC that Campbell, even in his most optimistic moods, must have barely thought possible."

Full text at the Guardian

[A poll at Sky.com asking the public if "Hutton has got to the truth" is currently indicating "No" 64% and "Yes" 36% -- N]