AFTER three weeks in the Caribbean sunshine, the Prime Minister is back to face the heat of the Hutton Inquiry.

During his stay in Barbados, Tony Blair must have wished that the furore over the Iraq weapons dossier would have faded into more manageable proportions. He has not been granted his holiday wish.

In his absence the inquiry has laid bare the innermost workings of his administration.

It is clear from documents released over the weekend that Downing Street played a role from the very outset in the eventual naming of David Kelly as the source for the BBC news report.

Whatever the verdict Lord Hutton delivers on the circumstances leading to the death of Dr Kelly, the inquiry has seriously undermined the Government.

Many of us suspected that this Government was unduly obsessed with spin and presentation. Now, thanks to the evidence put before Lord Hutton, our suspicions have credence.

It has been shown to be an administration paranoid about its image, so much so that an unelected politico - Alastair Campbell - technically only in charge of presentation, has had a central role in policy-making and decision-taking.

While it is individuals like Mr Campbell, Mr Blair and Geoff Hoon who are under scrutiny, also under close examination at the Hutton Inquiry is our system of government.

The buck stops with Mr Blair. While it will be tempting to sacrifice Mr Campbell and Mr Hoon to silence the critics, it is the Prime Minister who must take ultimate responsibility for the actions of the Government.

Mr Blair has a huge task on his hands to restore the public's confidence in his administration.

He begins that task on Thursday when he goes before the Hutton Inquiry.

The suggestion that the Kelly affair has become the Prime Minister's 'Watergate' may be an exaggeration, or merely wishful thinks by his critics.

However, a less than convincing performance at the hearing may well prompt people to seriously question his ability to remain as Prime Minister for much longer.