The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, was yesterday accused of preparing to "run away" from the findings of Lord Hutton's inquiry.
Mr Blair vowed not to hide from any criticisms in the law lord's report on the death of Dr David Kelly.
But Mr Blair again refused to say whether he would face MPs in a full Commons debate on its conclusions.
Conservative leader Michael Howard said it was "absolutely extraordinary" that Mr Blair had failed to give the commitment.
"The very fact he is refusing now to say whether he's going to lead in that debate will cause a lot of people to think he's prepared to run away and that he's got something to hide," Mr Howard said.
However, Mr Blair stressed he would make a statement to MPs and take questions on the day the report was published.
Only then could details of the full debate a week later be decided, he insisted.
"I can assure you I have no intention of hiding away from this at all," he said. "On the contrary, I am enthusiastic about being at long last able to debate these issues on the basis of an objective, independent judgment by a judge rather than speculation," he told the BBC.
Mr Blair also said he expected the matter of the return of Britons held by the US at Guantanamo Bay since the invasion of Afghanistan to be resolved soon.
But Mr Blair warned the nine would not be brought back if they posed a terror risk.
"We do need to be very, very clear about one thing. The people who were detained at Guantanamo Bay were detained arising out of the conflict in Afghanistan and activities of al- Qaeda there. Without saying anything that prejudges whether they might be guilty or not guilty, it is extremely important we balance up the absolutely proper consideration they get a fair and decent trial with the need to protect people", he said. - (PA)