The Ministry of Defence was accused today of playing a "game of Russian roulette" with David Kelly by lawyers acting for the late Government scientist's family.

The MoD's decision to confirm Dr Kelly as a suspected Whitehall "mole" to journalists who came forward with his name was "cynical and irresponsible", suggested Jeremy Gompertz QC.

Within days of being identified as the source of a BBC story on the Government's Iraqi weapons dossier, the scientist apparently committed suicide by slashing his wrist.

But Martin Howard, the former head of communications at the Ministry of Defence who was being cross-examined by Mr Gompertz, denied that the MoD had treated Dr Kelly "shabbily".

Mr Howard was appearing before the Hutton inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Kelly. He was the first witness to be recalled.

He faced questioning by lawyers for inquiry, for Dr Kelly's family, for the BBC and by his own lawyer.

Mr Gompertz, asked Mr Howard whether the MoD had treated Dr Kelly "shabbily" in the weeks leading up to his apparent suicide at an Oxfordshire beauty spot and if he would have been pressured by being identified.

Mr Howard said: "We realised that if his name became public, which seemed very likely, he would come under pressure."

He acknowledged that the weapons expert had not been told that the MoD would confirm his name to any journalist who came up with it.

Mr Gompertz said that information released by the MoD and Downing Street meant that "any able journalist, with a little research, would be able to identify Dr Kelly".

"The procedure adopted, Mr Howard, I suggest, amounted to a parlour game for journalists," he said. "Would you agree?"

Mr Howard replied: "No."

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