Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged not to duck any criticisms in the report into the death of Oxfordshire weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

Conservatives accused the Prime Minister of preparing to run from the findings of Lord Hutton's inquiry.

But Mr Blair yesterday pledged: "I have no intention of hiding away from this at all.

"On the contrary, I am enthusiastic about being at long last able to debate these issues on the basis of an objective, independent judgment by a judge, rather than speculation."

Tory leader Michael Howard was unimpressed when the two leaders gave TV interviews yesterday, accusing the Prime Minister of giving the impression he had something to hide.

Mr Blair will give a statement to MPs and take questions on the day Lord Hutton's inquiry reports on the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Kelly near his home at Southmoor in July.

He was found dead after being outed as the source of BBC reports that Downing Street "sexed-up" intelligence on Iraqi weapons.

Lord Hutton's verdict on the circumstances surrounding his death is expected within weeks.