LABOUR and Conservative MPs in Kent say the Government must not be allowed to use an inquiry into the death of scientist Dr David Kelly to dodge questions about whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt (Lab) said he was concerned the inquiry set up to examine the circumstances of Dr Kelly’s death could detract attention from the question of whether the Government was right go to war.

The Labour backbencher, who is a member of the Media Select Committee, also said ministers should resign if the inquiry criticised their conduct.

“I think the Prime Minister is right to say we need a period of reflection. But longer term, the issue is still whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction or not.”

More people were concerned about the evidence the Government relied on to justify war, rather than its spat with the BBC, he added.

“What people in Kent want to know is whether their sons or daughters went to war on spurious evidence and an honest response to the question of whether there were weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

He was critical of the way Dr Kelly appeared to have been used to defend the Government’s actions but stopped short of saying there should be resignations immediately.

“My mind is not made up about Geoff Hoon [defence minister] and Alastair Campbell. But ministers should take the rap and civil servants are not there to get them out of trouble.”

His sentiments were echoed by Tonbridge and Malling MP Sir John Stanley, a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee which interviewed Dr Kelly.

He said the claim Iraq could deploy weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes had influenced how MPs had voted on the war.

He was responding to remarks by the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who said the claim was only “part of the background” to the debate.

Sir John said the Government had produced nothing to back its “45 minute” claim.

“Nearly four months after we invaded Iraq, none of the central intelligence assessment claims in the September 2002 dossier has been validated on the ground. No evidence has been uncovered that Saddam Hussein was restarting his nuclear weapons programme. We have no evidence of any weapons of mass destruction at all,” he said.

If that continued to be the case, it would raise “serious personal issues for the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister.”

Medway Labour MP Bob Marshall-Andrews said there needed to be a second, separate judicial inquiry into the intelligence evidence used to justify war.

“I believe in judicial inquiries and belief we need a second, with a separate brief. We should not be deflected from that by what is undoubtedly a tragic event,” he said.

North Thanet Conservative MP Roger Gale, speaking at a meeting in his constituency, said: “Tony Blair has tried to suggest that it would be improper to comment further about the death of Dr Kelly until the judicial inquiry has reported. In saying that he is, I believe deliberately, seeking to obscure the real point.

Mr Gale, vice-chairman of the Conservative Party, stressed: “We believe that the inquiry should be by tribunal, heard in public and should publish its initial findings into the death of Dr Kelly. It should then consider the wider issues arising from the handling of intelligence relating to the war with Iraq.

“We also believe that the tribunal should be consistent with the Tribunals (Evidence) Act and that requires a resolution of both Houses of Parliament.

“Such a resolution can only be passed if Parliament is sitting, as the Prime Minister is well aware, and it is for that reason and not to debate the wider issues that it is necessary to recall Parliament.

“It is astonishing that Mr Blair has not curtailed his visit to the Far East under these circumstances and yet another example of the arrogance emanating from Downing Street."