JANET Anderson has attacked Rod Liddle, the former editor of the Today programme, for criticising Lord Hutton's report into its claims that Downing Street had "sexed up" the Government's dossier on Iraq weapons of mass destruction.

The law lord cleared the Government of misbehaviour and strongly attacked the BBC's handling of the report by defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan.

Mr Liddle, who was forced to quit the BBC for controversial comments in a newspaper article, said the report was 'surreal' and said that judicial inquiries always end up backing the Government.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Mrs Anderson is one of 32 MPs to sign a Commons Motion claiming this is a "slur on Lord Hutton's reputation, integrity and record."

The MPs call on Mr Liddle to withdraw the comments and admit the report was independent and its findings were based on the evidence.

The Early Day Motion -- on the Commons Order Paper, Parliament's daily agenda sent to all ministers, MPs and civil servants -- notes it was Mr Liddle who hired Mr Gilligan and, when editor of the Today programme, was responsible for creating its culture "so strongly criticised by Lord Hutton."

The Motion adds if it criticised the Government Mr Liddle would have accepted his conclusions.