PROMINENT barrister Michael Mansfield has called for a truth commission after the 10th anniversary of the death of Dr David Kelly was marked.

Dr Kelly was found dead near his home in Southmoor on July 18, 2003, days after he was named as the source of a news story about “sexed-up” documents relating to Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Mansfield has sent a letter of support to campaigners who want an inquest into his death to be carried out in full.

In the letter, he said: “There is an urgent need for a permanent truth commission to investigate these in the same way the Hillsborough Independent panel did for the families and friends of those 96 killed in the football stadium disaster.

“The manner and mode of Dr Kelly’s death along with the surrounding circumstances were not directly addressed by the Hutton Inquiry which was myopic.”

Banners calling for an inquest have been put up around Dr Kelly’s grave at St Mary’s Church in Longworth.