Bonini and another investigative reporter wrote about how the false information on Niger yellow cake got started. First, there was a dedicated hoodlum making his living by giving out a rumor which would lead to interest. In this case it was planted in an apartment where a mole worked as a maid. When the information was turned over, it got into the allies' circulation loop before it was checked out. The book says it further gained credence because Berlusconi wanted to make brownie points with Bush. I do recall articles in the media about apologies from the Italian government. Since it was in the loop, the British had it. CIA asked them if they knew about it. And that's how the British were referenced in the state of the union speech.
There are too many spy stories for me to follow. However, watching the TV interview brought up the old neighborhood beauty parlor jokes. As in, 3 forms of communication--telegraph, telephone and telewoman. If there isn't careful analysis, I guess we could add teleintel.