British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be called to testify before a judge heading an inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, who was the source of a BBC report that alleged the government had 'sexed up' a dossier to justify the United States-led war on Iraq.

Lord Hutton, heading the inquiry that opened Friday, said he would ask Blair to give evidence in connection with a decision to name Dr Kelly as the possible source for a disputed news report on the government's handling of intelligence on Iraqi weapons.

The prime minister's office said Blair would 'cooperate fully' with the inquiry.

Apart from Blair, Lord Hutton said he intended to call Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, Blair's Communications Director Alastair Campbell and journalist Andrew Gilligan, who filed the BBC report, to give evidence.

Formally announcing the opening of his inquiry in a packed courtroom in London, Lord Hutton began by observing a minute's silence to respect Dr Kelly. He said the inquiry had been prompted by a 'very tragic death'.

Lord Hutton said the inquiry would be wide-ranging, and would include circumstances surrounding his death and also the dossier, which was at the core of the dispute.

He also revealed that Dr Kelly's body had been found with four electrocardiogram pads on his chest -- one of the mysteries he wished to unravel.

Lord Hutton said, "This is an inquiry to be conducted by me… it is not a trial conducted between interested parties who have conflicting cases to advance.

"I do not sit to decide between conflicting cases; I sit to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dr Kelly's death."

Dr Kelly, an adviser in the defence ministry, was found dead on July 18 with his left wrist slashed, days after giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which was probing the government's justification for war.

During the hearing, Dr Kelly had said he did not think he was the main source for the BBC report. But after his death the BBC confirmed he was the source.

The inquiry will aim to establish how Dr Kelly's name was made public and what precisely he told journalists, Lord Hutton said.

Evidence will also be sought from various journalists, the chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, Donald Anderson, and Dr Kelly's widow.

It is expected Lord Hutton's findings will be reported before the end of the year.