In a startling development, Bertrand Arthur William Russell has been discovered to be Welsh, government spokesperson Jamie Talcott revealed yesterday. “Unfortunately this invalidates a large body of mathematical work.”

Likely to shock the normally stable world of mathematical logics, the discovery was made by Professor Kurt Diemer of the MIT Subcommittee On Un-American Mathematology. Originally spawned as a project to discredit French scientists in the wake of a possible invasion, SOUAM has also turned up damning evidence on figures from other countries.

“We’ve found many important historical figures have been or conspired with homosexuals, anarchists and criminals. Worse, more than a few have also turned out to be Welsh.” Talcott intoned “But while we can easily stand to lose names such as Crighton and Jones, dropping Russell will leave a gaping hole in our mathematical knowledge.”

In light of this, many aspiring mathematicians have jumped at the task to have their name attached to what was previously Russell’s work. “As a math student at the prestigious university in Waterloo, Canada, I’ve never been in a position to get credit for essentially copying someone else’s work – this is truly a great opportunity.” offered an anonymous undergraduate student.

Authorities have issued an unspecified warning that there may be Welsh sleeper cells still involved in the mathematical process. Vigilance is the best defence, as these nationals are easily spotted as lacking in gaiety and harbouring a bizarre manner of speaking.

Russell’s best known “contribution” is the Principia Mathematica, and his reputation as an excellent mathematical writer. “Compared to fellow Welshman, Robert Recorde, who droned on about how ‘noe 2 thynges can be moare equalle’ in forgotten works such as The Grounde of Artes and The Whetstone of Witte [an early attempt at mathematical humour] — Russell is practically a Nobel Prize winner.”