Blunkett orders inquiry
The Home Secretary has ordered an inquiry into claims that he misused his government position in order to aid a former lover.
John Gieve, permanent secretary at the Home Office, is to investigate allegations that Mr Blunkett personally intervened in the visa application of his former partner’s Filipino nanny.
Though Mr Blunkett has admitted that he looked at the application form, he insisted this was only to check the information was complete and he had no further involvement in the case. Crucially, he stressed that the immigration official responsible for dealing with the form would have had absolutely no means of knowing the Home Secretary had any personal interest in the case.
This allegation of impropriety was one of a number in this weekend’s Sunday Telegraph, which also alleged Mr Blunkett shared confidential security information with Mrs Quinn, his former mistress, and allowed her to use a train ticket that had been given to him for his personal use. All allegations of wrongdoing have been strenuously denied, though Mr Blunkett does admit that Mrs Quinn used a train ticket given to him, such tickets are given for the usage of MPs and their families, and as such he says that given the nature of their then relationship its usage was perfectly proper.
The Conservative party has demanded a judicial inquiry into the accusations.
In a statement released Sunday, Mr Blunkett said: “Trust, plain-speaking and straight talking is something which matters so much to me as a politician and as a man that I have decided, of my own volition, to request an independent review of the allegations that I misused my position in the case of the renewal of a visa application by Leoncia Casalme.
“I have asked the permanent secretary at the Home Office tomorrow to appoint an appropriate independent reviewer to examine the papers and the handling of this case.
“I regret the time and resources needed to undertake this, but in the light of the flagrant attempt to link my public position with the deeply personal circumstances of my private life, I believe that on this specific occasion, it is right to lay this accusation to rest.”
Downing Street said Mr Blair had the “full confidence” in the Home Secretary.
Immigration minister Des Browne said Mr Blunkett had “nothing to fear”, as there had been “no impropriety”.
