Dame Kelly Holmes has criticised the decision to allow sprinter Dwain Chambers to represent Great Britain.

UK Athletics announced the former drugs cheat will compete at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia next month - despite the selection committee being unanimous in its desire not to select him.

In a written statement it said: "Unfortunately, the committee felt that the selection criteria pertaining to the winner of the (Norwich Union World) Trials, coupled with the manner of Dwain's performance, left them no room to take any other decision."

Double Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes said: "Each case is different. But in his case I don't believe he should be running.

"I don't believe he should be running because you are representing your country. I don't think it puts us in a good light as a country allowing a cheat, who has admitted he is a cheat, to represent us.

"There are so many other people like myself who are completely dedicated, focused, committed, and went through so many things to try and be the best you can be and then there are other people knowingly cheating. I don't think it is right."

Nick Collins, head of sports law at Ford & Warren, Mr Chambers' solicitors, said: "I am obviously pleased that the only possible decision in law has been made.

"It honours the tradition of the English legal system that when an offender has paid his penalty he starts again with a clean sheet.

"Dwain now has his clean sheet and a clean start. Perhaps now people will be generous enough to give him that fresh start.

"We are sure that sports lovers will applaud this selection."

After announcing the team to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland next month, UKA's World Indoors selection committee issued a statement which said: "Based on his performance at the Norwich Union World Trials, the Selection Committee has selected Dwain Chambers for a place in the 60 metres at the 2008 World Indoors in Valencia.

"The Committee was unanimous in its desire not to select Dwain. Taking him to the World Indoors deprives young, upwardly mobile committed athletes of this key development opportunity.

"Our World Class Performance Programme is focused on achievement at Olympic and World level. On this basis, it is extremely frustrating to leave young athletes at home; eligible for Beijing, in possession of the qualifying standard and committed to ongoing participation in a drug-free sport."

"In contrast, we have to take an individual whose sudden return, especially when considered against his previous actions and comments, suggests that he may be using the whole process for his own ends.

"Unfortunately, the committee felt that the selection criteria pertaining to the winner of the Trials, coupled with the manner of Dwain's performance, left them no room to take any other decision."

It added: "We wish all the selected athletes well at the event, but will certainly explore ways in which future selections can be made to match the true "spirit" of our sport."

In October 2003 Chambers was revealed to have tested positive for the newly discovered `designer steroid' tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), but denied knowingly taking the substance.

In February 2004, he was handed a two-year worldwide ban.

Chambers finally admitted in December 2005 to using THG for 18 months before failing his drug test - including when he became double European champion in August 2002.

Under British Olympic Association rules, the 29-year-old is prevented from ever representing his country at any future Olympics because of his doping ban.

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