The Iraq Dossier and the Meaning of Spin

The Iraq dossier was one of the least hyped and least spun documents to emerge from government in recent years, yet allegations that it was ‘sexed up’ in a bid to deceive the country into supporting the war remain widely accepted despite the Hutton Inquiry. In part, this is because media–management techniques have become so widespread under successive governments that the public and the media have come to expect them. But it is also in part because terms such as ‘sexed up’ and even ‘spin’ are so ill-defined and fluid that accusations are hard to refute. Seeking greater precision in the use of such terms makes the actions of the government, and the conclusions reached by Lord Hutton, easier to understand. It may also provide some pointers as to how changes to the ethical codes for government communications could help restore public confidence.