Tom Kelly comments attacked

There is almost universal condemnation of Tony Blair's spokesman Tom Kelly over his comments about the government scientist Dr David Kelly whose funeral is being held on Wednesday.

The Daily Mail says the attempt to portray the former weapons inspector as a Walter Mitty fantasist leaves Downing Street "in the gutter".

An editorial in the Independent criticises "the low politics of this shabby attempt to discredit a distinguished scientist."

It points out had Dr Kelly been a fantasist, he would not have been invited to give evidence to the Foreign Affairs select committee and that "presumably" Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott would not be attending his funeral on Wednesday.

The Daily Telegraph declares that not only was Tom Kelly's behaviour "an offence against the normal rules of respect for the dead" in the light of the judicial inquiry that has been ordered into Dr Kelly's death, it was "improper too from the legal and constitutional point of view."

While the Guardian acknowledges "Mr Kelly said the wrong thing and said it at the wrong time", it considers how New Labour's dealings with journalists have led to a climate where "the twist of spin is suspected everywhere".

Mixed response to economy figures

Papers differ on their interpretation of the latest figures on the economy.

The Telegraph concludes a report from the Halifax, Britain's largest mortgage lender, shows the housing market has "overheated" with the number of first time buyers hitting a record low.

The Mail suggests the slump threatens "to suck the life out of the property market."

But the Guardian finds the "the first signs of a rebound in the economy" based on statistics on industry and the service sector and the overall rise in house prices shown by the Halifax report.

Criticism of 'Cherie's cronies'

The "rise and rise of Cherie's cronies" is how the Mail sees the appointment of Kenneth Macdonald QC as the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Times stresses Mr Macdonald's links to the prime minister's wife, noting he was a founding member of her chambers.

The paper states the choice of Mr Macdonald to take on the role "was greeted with surprise across the legal profession".

But while a top silk can earn up to a million pounds a year, the QC will now receive just £145,000.

Clarence House opens its doors to the public

As the gates of the Queen Mother's former home, Clarence House swing open to the public, the Daily Express has been counting the cost of its refurbishment.

The paper highlights how the taxpayer has added £4.5m to Prince Charles' £1.6m contribution.

Several of the papers use double-page spreads to show the opulent interiors of Clarence House and the Queen Mother's possessions now going on display.

Sir Clive Sinclair's 'new transport plans'

The suggestion that Sir Clive Sinclair, the inventor of the C5 electric car, is to venture once more into the world of personal transport, is a cause for some nostalgia and wry amusement.

The Independent recalls how we were told the C5 was "the future. It was in fact a plastic trike with a washing machine engine."

Reflecting on Sir Clive's latest plans, the Times observes how "the words glutton and punishment spring easily to mind."