Hoon faces Kelly family barrister

Geoff Hoon's career was hanging by a thread today as he faced being publicly interrogated by the barrister representing David Kelly's widow at the Hutton Inquiry.

The Defence Secretary looked certain to be recalled for cross-examination after it emerged he approved the "guessing game" process that unmasked the scientist.

Janice Kelly has appointed senior QC Jeremy Gompertz to cross-examine witnesses the family believes have failed to explain properly how Dr Kelly was robbed of his anonymity and put under massive strain.

Dr Kelly apparently committed suicide days after being forced to endure a public grilling by a Commons committee. His family made clear in their evidence earlier this week their anger at the Ministry of Defence for failing to protect him.

In evidence last week, Mr Hoon denied responsibility for key decisions about how Dr Kelly was named, saying he was "not party to discussions".

But yesterday his special adviser, Richard Taylor, revealed a meeting chaired by the minister where he was briefed on the naming strategy and approved it. Mr Taylor also admitted the meeting did not consider whether Dr Kelly should be warned his employers had decided to let his identity become public.

Senior MoD civil servants also face a likely recall to the inquiry when it begins stage two on 15 September. Unlike the first hearings, where witnesses gave their version of events unchallenged, this may involve more aggressive questioning with barristers for the family, the BBC and Downing Street being allowed to cross-examine them.

Richard Hatfield, the MoD personnel director, is likely to be grilled about the family's belief that Dr Kelly was initially promised anonymity.

The Government insists he was warned his name would be made public but the family say it came as a total surprise.

Sir Kevin Tebbit, the permanent secretary, is likely to be asked why he did not accompany Dr Kelly to the Foreign Affairs Committee to give support.

He may also be asked to explain the disclosure by Mr Hoon that he was first to propose using Dr Kelly to "correct the public record".