A Walter Mitty Fantasist? No One Was More Driven by Integrity and Humanity Thanmy Friend David Kelly

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Byline: ALASTAIR HAY

DOWNING Street's publicity machine will, it seems, stop at nothing in its ruthless instinct for self-preservation.

Before Dr David Kelly has even been buried, No 10 officials are blackening his name, smearing him as a unreliable fantasist.

Coming just days before his funeral, such vicious allegations are profoundly distasteful, especially to his heartbroken family and shattered friends.

Soon after Dr Kelly's death, the Prime Minister called on everyone to show dignity and restraint in the wake of this tragedy. Yet now, by their cruel, self- serving actions, Tony Blair's very own spin doctors have exposed the hypocrisy of those words.

What is more, I know there is not the smallest shred of truth in their nasty slur against Dr Kelly. I worked in a similar field - arms control - to him for many years and came to know him well through conferences, seminars and meetings.

Through such contacts, I came to regard him as someone of the …