Richard Taylor, the special adviser who linked Geoff Hoon to the naming of Dr David Kelly, has resigned.

Taylor has worked for the defence secretary for three years.

He came to prominence during the Hutton inquiry into the events surrounding Dr Kelly's death when he revealed that Hoon had chaired the meeting at which the strategy for naming the government scientist to the media was decided.

Although the defence secretary noted the meeting in his written submission to the inquiry, it was not discussed when he gave evidence in the Royal Courts of Justice.

Officials confirmed on Tuesday that Taylor actually left the Ministry of Defence on Friday, two days after the publication of Lord Hutton's report.