A Foreign Office official has denied that he is the source of claims that Alastair Campbell "sexed-up" intelligence about Saddam Hussein's weapons arsenal.

Quizzed by MPs, Dr David Kelly dismissed the suggestion that he was the principal source for the claims broadcast by BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan on May 29.

Whilst he denied being the source, the weapons expert admitted he met Gilligan at a hotel in central London in February.

Asked whether the claims of Downing Street wrongdoing had come from him, Dr Kelly said: "No, I do not believe that I am the main source."

"I am not part of British intelligence and I was not involved in the...preparation of the dossier."

Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay accused the Ministry of Defence of using Dr Kelly as a decoy to divert attention from the weapons row.