The Independent reviews the history of the term "Walter Mitty" following the row over a Downing Street spokesman using it to typecast Dr David Kelly.

It explains the history of the 1939 book by James Thurber that created the fictional character who lived a life of fantasy and how the phrase entered popular use.

"It is perfectly possible that, from time to time, the Nobel prize nominee Dr Kelly was a Walter Mitty character," the paper says.

"But then so, hopefully, is his namesake [Number 10 spokesman Tom Kelly] who tried to undermine the scientist's reputation with a cheap shot."