Dominic Grieve makes a mess

It should all have been so simple. Blair government stitches up Kelly enquiry by appointing Lord Hutton, who not only decides he's competent to hold an inquest too, but into the bargain bans the release of papers relating to Dr Kelly's death for 70 years. New government by contrast arranges for proper inquest, showing its commitment to openness and due legal process.

It's Dominic Grieve who is messing this up. He will consider reopening the enquiry into Dr Kelly's death - if people bring him new evidence. Of course there might be some in the papers that Hutton sealed, but Grieve won't look.

Today The Mail explains that

The power to release the papers resides with Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, though Mr Grieve has the legal right to demand access.

Ministers want to publish details of Dr David Kelly's post-mortem examination online to end speculation about the weapons inspector's death, we are told. But "ministers would prefer to release the papers without an inquest, out of concern for the scientist's family". All clear so far?

Officials say Mr Grieve is determined to find a way to 'draw a line' under the affair that avoids upsetting Dr Kelly's widow Janice, which presumably explains his pedantic and very public dithering.

Now the pathologist who conducted the post mortem has called for an inquest.

A Government source said Dr Hunt's intervention could give ministers 'a dignified way out' of the controversy over the findings of the Hutton Report.

That wouldn't upset the family? Because the pathologist has called for it?

Grieve is showing that he's a liability. Goodness knows how he would handle something tricky.