BBC resignations astonished Hutton

The judge who headed an investigation into the suicide of a British weapons expert was shocked by public anger at his report and the turmoil it caused at the British Broadcasting Corporation, according to a daily.

Lord Hutton was convinced he drew up a report that was even-handed in criticising both the BBC and the defence ministry for failing to provide a "duty of care" to scientist David Kelly, the paper said.

"Lord Hutton is deeply unhappy about how his report has been treated, how it was rubbished. He genuinely thought it would put an end to speculation. You may think it's naive for anyone to think that, but it's what he says," a member of parliament, described by the daily as being "close to the Iraq controversy", told The Guardian.

Lord Hutton was said to be particularly concerned that the BBC overreacted to his findings, and did not expect his inquiry to prompt any resignations in the organisation, it said.

Within three days of the publication of the report, Gavyn Davies resigned as BBC chairman, followed by Greg Dyke as director general. Andrew Gilligan, whose report caused the furore, also resigned, admitting to errors but saying the broadcaster had been the victim of a "grave injustice".

The Guardian said that MPs on the House of Commons public administration committee were now planning to question Lord Hutton about his reaction to his report when he appears before them in May.

However, the parliamentarians had agreed not to question Lord Hutton directly about his findings or challenge his core judgment, the paper added.