BBC staff and intelligence officials will be first to appear

Terence Taylor A friend of David Kelly and the inquiry's first witness. Mr Taylor, director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington, was chief inspector of the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq after the 1991 Gulf War. Dr Kelly worked with him searching for weapons. Mr Taylor, a former British Army colonel, is expected to contradict Downing Street's claims that Dr Kelly was a "Walter Mitty" and merely a middle-ranking technician. He has already written in The Independent that Dr Kelly "was a scientific civil servant of the highest calibre".

Richard Hatfield

Mr Hatfield, personnel director at the MoD, interviewed Dr Kelly after the scientist admitted to an unauthorised meeting with BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan. Mr Hatfield also wrote to Dr Kelly after the scientist was identified as the source, saying he would not start disciplinary proceedings but that Dr Kelly's behaviour fell "short of the standard expected from a civil servant of his standing and experience".

Julian Miller

A senior official in the Cabinet Office's intelligence and security secretariat. He was head of the private office of the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon. Mr Miller was part of the liaison team between No 10 and the Joint Intelligence Committee while the dossiers were being compiled. He works with Sir David Omand, head of intelligence-gathering at the Cabinet Office.

Martin Howard

Mr Howard, deputy chief of Defence Intelligence and former director of communications at the MoD, is an influential figure at the ministry. He would have had access to all key intelligence on Iraq.

Patrick Lamb

Deputy head of counter proliferation at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, he knew Dr Kelly well and can be expected to be asked questions about the late scientist's seniority and links with intelligence services.

Andrew Gilligan

The BBC's defence and diplomatic correspondent of Radio 4's flagship Today programme. His reports that Alastair Campbell, No 10's director of communications and strategy, had "sexed up" intelligence dossiers to make the case for war so angered Downing Street that it prompted this bitter row. Mr Gilligan has stuck to his story, with the support of his bosses.

Susan Watts

Science editor for BBC2's Newsnight reported similar concerns about the strength of the intelligence case. The source of her reports was also Dr Kelly, but she stopped short of suggesting that the claim the Iraqis could deploy biological and chemical weapons within 45 minutes was inserted by Mr Campbell against the wishes of the intelligence agencies.

Gavin Hewitt

Mr Hewitt, an experienced reporter and documentary-maker, was the third BBC reporter to have used Dr Kelly as a source. The BBC will be looking to Mr Hewitt to bolster itscase.Hedid not claim Mr Campbell was responsible for hardening up the dossier.

Richard Sambrook

The BBC's director of news will be questioned about its editorial policy and whether it gave the Government enough opportunity to put its side of the story.

Brian Wells

Director of the MoD's counter proliferation and arms control secretariat, he worked in the same office as Dr Kelly and was involved in talks with him after the scientist admitted to meeting Mr Gilligan.

John Williams

Press secretary to Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, and a former political editor of the Daily Mirror. He joined the Foreign Office in 1997 under Robin Cook. He will be called, as the last witness of the first week, to establish Dr Kelly's contacts with the press as well as teeing up the next stage of the inquiry into how Dr Kelly came to be publicly identified.