By Ollie Stone-Lee
Political reporter, BBC News, Labour conference in Manchester |
 Lord Hutton's inquiry looked at the death of David Kelly |
Trust in Labour was damaged by the battle with the BBC which led to the Hutton inquiry, says Gordon Brown's ex-special adviser. Ian Austin, now a Labour MP, said the episode was one of the biggest mistakes made in jeopardising trust.
"Looking back on it, getting into a big battle with the BBC... I'm not sure that did a lot to build trust in government and its approach," he said.
The row came in 2003 over a report about Iraq's alleged weapons.
It led to the suicide of government scientist Dr David Kelly - whose death was probed by the Hutton inquiry.
Mr Austin, speaking at a conference fringe meeting, said he did not think his view on the impact of the controversy was particularly controversial.
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