BLUNKETT STORM OVER SCOTS LOVER; Pressure grows for Home Secretary as affair No2 revealed.Byline: By Mark McGivern PRESSURE grew on David Blunkett David Blunkett (born 6 June 1947) is a British Labour Party politician and has been Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside since 1987. Blind since birth and from a poor family, he rose to become Education Secretary from 1997 to 2001, and then Home Secretary from 2001 to last night after revelations about a second affair. The Home Secretary was accused of breaking up another relationship during a fling with a Scottish civil servant. As details of the scandal emerged, the Tories called for Blunkett's head if it was proved that he fast-tracked a visa application to help another ex-lover. Shadow home secretary David Davis David Davis, the name of several people, may refer to:
'If you do, that's an abuse of power.' Sir Alan Budd Sir Alan Peter Budd (born 16 November 1937) is a prominent British economist, who was a founding member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in 1997. He left the MPC in May 1999, and since August 1999 has been Provost of The Queen's College, Oxford. has been called in to investigate claims Blunkett fast-tracked immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. procedures to help Kimberly Quinn's Filipina nanny. After the relationship between Blunkett, 57, and the publisher soured, he claimed to be the father of her unborn child and her two-year-old son. The pair are now locked in a court battle over Blunkett's access rights. Blunkett has also admitted having a fling with 39-year-old Denise Maguire, of Bearsden, near Glasgow, five years ago. She ended her relationship with her boyfriend, who also worked for the then education secretary. Their affair is said to have lasted five months before she returned to Andy Hurdle, 35. It was reported that Blunkett had a furious row with Mr Hurdle after he was overheard telling colleagues: 'I cannot believe it - the Secretary of State has stolen my girlfriend.' Hurdle was later promoted and given a pay rise - but Blunkett denied this was done to 'buy' his silence. A source close to Blunkett said: 'She decided to leave Mr Hurdle and she and David started going out with each other. 'David understands it was all a bit messy and accepts she left the guy in the process. As far as he is concerned, she was single when he went out with her.' Maguire and Hurdle, who live together in London, now have a two-year-old daughter. Last night, they were unavailable for comment. Theresa May For the British glamour model and porn actor, see . Theresa Mary May (born in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, on October 1 1956 as Theresa Mary Brasier) is a British politician, former chairman of the Conservative Party, and Member of Parliament for Maidenhead. , the Tories' spokeswoman on family issues, called on Blunkett to 'consider his position' yesterday. Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat Noun a member or supporter of the Liberal Democrats, a British centrist political party that advocates proportional representation Liberal Democrat n (BRIT) → leader Charles Kennedy said Blunkett's decision to give Mrs Quinn, 44, a rail warrant intended for MPs' spouses was an 'error of judgment' which would have a 'corrosive effect on his position'. Labour peer Baroness Kennedy questioned the value of Sir Alan Budd's inquiry. She warned that the public might be inclined to view the inquiry as a 'fix' with a pre-determined outcome. Mrs Quinn, publisher of right-wing weekly The Spectator, wants to testify to the former Treasury official's inquiry. Her husband Stephen claimed he didn't wish to add to 'tittle tattle'. He added: 'It's quite sordid and unbecoming to men of a certain age.' Blunkett's spokesman dismissed a claim the minister would admit the visa was fast-tracked but blame an 'over-zealous' junior official as 'speculation'. CAPTION(S): COURT BATTLE: Embattled Blunkett and pregnant Kimberly; AFFAIR: But; Denise went back to her boyfriend |
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