The body of Iraq weapons inspector Dr David Kelly has been mysteriously exhumed, it emerged last night.

Dr Kelly was found dead in 2003, days after being grilled by a Parliamentary committee about his contact with journalists.

He was buried in a churchyard near his home in Oxfordshire.

But a few months ago, his remains were exhumed at the request of his family, Thames Valley Police said.

According to the Hutton inquiry, Dr Kelly took his own life by overdosing on painkillers and cutting his wrist with a knife.

However, doubts about the suicide verdict have persisted ever since.

Dr Kelly was caught up in the scandal surrounding the Blair government's notorious 'sexed up' dossier which claimed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction capable of being launched within 45 minutes.

In 2003, the 59-year-old scientist admitted to BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan he had been concerned by those claims in an off-the-record conversation.

Gilligan's reporting of the story led to Dr Kelly being identified - with some claiming Blair's government leaked his name intentionally.

Dr Kelly came under extreme pressure during questioning before a Select Committee.

In July 2003, he was reported missing after telling his wife he was going for a walk.

His body was found in woodland near his home in Oxfordshire the next morning.

Many still believe his death should be investigated with a full inquest.

According to the Sun on Sunday, Dr Kelly's remains may have been moved because of 'unwelcome attention' from campaigners at the gravesite.