The Downing Street official who described Dr David Kelly as a "Walter Mitty" fantasist has been promoted.

Tom Kelly will become the sole official spokesman for Number 10 when his current colleague Godric Smith moves on to a behind the scenes role after Easter.

Meanwhile Sir Christopher Meyer, the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission and former press secretary to John Major, has said the new role of government communications permanent secretary could be cumbersome and ineffectual.

Sir Christopher added that the job, confirmed yesterday as going to another ex-Major aide Howell James, could lead to a new turf war between Number 10 and Whitehall.