Blunkett accepts Budd report verdict
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett today said he “fully accepted” the findings of the inquiry into whether he fast tracked a visa for his lover’s nanny.
He insisted he had raised the visa application with his officials only as a way of illustrating more general problems with immigration casework delays, but accepted that he should have referred the case to the Minister of State for Immigration.
Sir Alan Budd’s inquiry recorded an “open verdict” on Mr Blunkett’s conduct. He found clear evidence that his officials had intervened in the visa’s handling, but was unable to determine whether Mr Blunkett’s actions had been taken simply to illustrate general problems – as the former Home Secretary has always claimed – or whether he was making an improper personal intervention.
Responding today to the Budd inquiry’s report, Mr Blunkett said: “I fully accept the findings of Sir Alan Budd’s report. Where his findings differ from my recollections, this is simply due to a failure on my part to recall details.’
He insisted he did nothing wrong in telling his officials about a letter that his then-lover, Kimberly Quinn, had shown him, and which said that her nanny’s visa application might not be processed for another 12 months.
“It [the letter] highlighted wider policy implications; namely, that if delays of this kind were taking place universally, we would fail to fulfil commitment to reduce the backlog of applications substantially,” he said.
But he admitted: “I had made no bones about the fact that this was on the back of information that Kimberly Quinn had given me . I should have been explicit in separating the particular example I was using and the broader policy which required addressing.
“In hindsight, it is clear I should have referred the issue to the appropriate Minister of State.”
Mr Blunkett also said he was grateful the inquiry’s report had put an end to allegations of a cover-up.
“Sir Alan Budd has ensured that any accusations of “whitewash” or “cover-up” cannot be made. I am grateful to him for that.”
