Blair ‘damaged’ by Blunkett affair
Tony Blair has been damaged by David Blunkett’s resignation, a new poll claims.
However, a survey by YouGov for the Sunday Times found that former Home Secretary’s exit has not hit Labour’s poll rating and a quarter of voters believe Mr Blunkett should return to the Cabinet if Labour wins the next General Election.
An overwhelming 68 per cent of the 1,981 voters questioned said the Prime Minister had been damaged by the ‘Nannygate’ affair.
Mr Blair insisted Mr Blunkett would be cleared of allegations that he rushed through a visa for his lover’s nanny.
The poll also showed that there is widespread support for Mr Blunkett’s personal situation, with 63 per cent saying his ex-lover, married publisher Kimberly Quinn, had acted vindictively.
Mrs Quinn, 44, returned home from hospital yesterday after suffering complications with her pregnancy. Mr Blunkett is currently embroiled in a custody battle over access to Ms Quinn’s two-year-old son, which Mr Blunkett insists he has fathered.
A further 61 per cent of those surveyed said Mr Blunkett was right to resign after Sir Alan Budd’s inquiry found a visa for Mrs Quinn’s nanny had been fast-tracked and his account of events was wrong, but 21 per cent felt he should return to the Cabinet straight after the election next year. 39 per cent of respondents opposed a comeback by the former minister.
