"Last Updated: Thursday, 21 August, 2003, 16:07 GMT 17:07 UKHow odd...
Dr David Kelly told a UK diplomat he would probably be "found dead in the woods" if the UK invaded Iraq, the Hutton inquiry has heard.
David Broucher, the UK's permanent representative on the disarmament conference in Geneva, said the scientist made what at the time he regarded as a "throwaway remark" in February.
It was only when he heard that Dr Kelly had been found dead in Oxfordshire woodland last month that Mr Broucher thought the comment might be more significant.
Mr Broucher said the remark was made after Dr Kelly had explained to him that he had assured senior Iraqi officials that if they cooperated with United Nations weapons inspections they would have nothing to fear.
"The implication was that if the invasion went ahead, that would make him a liar and he would have betrayed his contacts, some of whom might be killed as a direct result of his actions," he said.
"I asked him what would happen then. He replied, in a throwaway line, he would probably be found dead in the woods."
Mr Broucher said he had thought Dr Kelly was talking about possible Iraqi vengeance.
"I now see that he may have been thinking on rather different lines," he added."
Thanks to BastardOldHolborn for the spot.
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