UK's Hoon to miss scientist Kelly's funeral

Britain's Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon will not be attending the funeral of the weapons expert David Kelly who was apparently driven to suicide by a furious row over the government's case for war on Iraq.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said Hoon would not be at the funeral, scheduled for Wednesday, but refused to confirm or deny reports that he would instead be away on holiday. She said Kelly's widow had been consulted.

'He (Hoon) is not going to the funeral, because after discussions with Mrs Kelly it was deemed most appropriate that government be represented at the funeral by the deputy prime minister,'' the spokeswoman said. ---

The Sunday Telegraph newspaper said some senior ministers were ''privately furious'' that Hoon was taking a holiday instead of going to the funeral. It quoted one minister as saying: ''It is unbelievable that he is doing this. We have to sacrifice our private lives for the job, but he won't do it.''

Doubt they want him there.

EXCLUSIVE: Kelly widow tells Hoon to stay away

THE widow of Dr David Kelly turned down an offer by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to attend her husband's funeral.

Janice Kelly was said last night to "perfectly satisfied" that he would not be at the service on Wednesday.

Mr Hoon will instead fly off for a family holiday in America, leaving Deputy PM John Prescott to represent the Government.

Mr Hoon phoned Mrs Kelly last week to warn her his presence might spark a media circus. She made no attempt to persuade him to attend.

A senior defence source said: "If Mrs Kelly had wanted him to go he would have. But she was perfectly satisfied with his suggestion not to.

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in that 77 minute private meeting.