Conservatives formally request Blunkett inquiry extension
The Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has written to the man investigating David Blunkett to ask for the inquiry to be widened.
Sir Alan Budd is currently investigating whether the Home Secretary misused his position during the visa application of his former lover’s nanny.
But, aside from this issue there have been a number of other allegations floating around in the media – including that Home Office officials met Mrs Quinn as news of their affair broke to the tabloids and that Mr Blunkett passed on security information regarding a scare at Newark Airport.
Mr Blunkett has strenuously denied that he acted improperly in anyway.
Tony Blair has also expressed his full support and confidence in the Home Secretary.
But, the Conservatives are now pressing for the inquiry to encompass some of the other allegations.
Writing to Mr Budd, Mr Davis said he presumed that in deciding whether or not Mr Blunkett misused his position “you will be guided by the Ministerial Code of Practice and its general principle that ‘Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise’. It is this principle which the allegation above, if upheld, would appear most clearly to breach.
“But the same principle would also seem to have a bearing on a number of other allegations made at the same time about the Home Secretary’s use of public officials in personal matters. It has been alleged, for instance, that Mr. Blunkett’s Principal Private Secretary attended a meeting with Mrs. Quinn at his private flat and, along with the Home Office’s head of news, was present at a meeting with her lawyers. It has also been claimed that the Home Secretary disclosed to Mrs. Quinn confidential information relating to a security alert at Newark Airport in New Jersey for personal reasons.
“In light of this, I would be grateful if you could confirm whether you will also be investigating these claims – and, if not, what substantive difference you see between these alleged breaches of the principles of the Ministerial Code and the one which you are currently examining.”
The Parliamentary Standards Ombudsman is currently also considering whether to launch a full investigation into misuse of a spouse’s rail ticket. Mr Blunkett has already admitted he breached the rules by giving a ticket to Mrs Quinn – but stressed that it was a genuine mistake and repaid the money. Such tickets are only meant to be used by the MP’s husband or wife.
