THE family of Iraq weapons expert Dr David Kelly doubt he killed himself, a leading medic claims.

John Scurr said they accepted he committed suicide because if they had not his civil service pension might not be paid.

3 A leading medic has claimed the family of Iraq weapons expert Dr David Kelly doubt he killed himself Credit: Getty Images - Getty

The revelation comes three days before the 15th anniversary of the death of Dr Kelly, a former UN weapons inspector in Iraq.

He was found dead in a wood after being unmasked as the BBC source in a report accusing Tony Blair’s government of “sexing up” the case for invading Iraq.

The Hutton Inquiry set up by Mr Blair ruled Dr Kelly — who denied he was the source — killed himself by slashing his wrist.

3 John Scurr said Dr Kelly's half-sister Sarah Pape called him after the inquest into his death to say she doubted he could take his life Credit: PA:Press Association

A blunt gardening knife was found by his side at Longworth, Oxfordshire.

Mr Scurr, 71, said Dr Kelly’s half sister, plastic surgeon Sarah Pape, called him after the hearing to say she doubted he could take his life “on a personal and a medical level”.

Vascular surgeon Dr Scurr agreed because the severed artery was small.

3 Dr David Kelly appearing in front of a Commons select committee just days before his death Credit: PA:Press Association

He said he told her he had concerns as to why Dr Kelly’s wife would accept the hearing’s finding “when there was no good medical evidence”.

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He said Ms Pape, 58, a former colleague at University College Hospital in London, agreed the “likely explanation” was to ensure “the pension would be paid”.

Ms Pape did not respond to requests to comment.

The family have remained silent.

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