Blunkett reveals affair woe
David Blunkett has revealed all about his ill-fated affair with magazine executive Kimberly Quinn.
In an interview with the Daily Mail ahead of the serialisation of his taped memoirs next week he tells how the affair – that cost him his role as home secretary – left him on the verge of “going mad”.
Mr Blunkett resigned as home secretary in December 2004 after allegations that he had helped fast-track a visa application for his mistress’s nanny.
The revelation brought to light a three-year-affair with Mrs Quinn, during which time she also gave birth to William, now four, who Mr Blunkett claimed was his son.
The taped memoirs, which Mr Blunkett made every night, are set to reveal his feelings on the affair and his mental turmoil throughout the public scandal.
“My whole world was collapsing around me,” he told the newspaper yesterday. “I was barely sleeping and yet I was being asked to sign government warrants in the middle of the night.”
Mr Blunkett reveals in the interview that Tony Blair was aware of his affair with Mrs Quinn. He said he “owed it” to the prime minister not to let him find out from the security services.
Mr Blair said to the home secretary at the time: “Try and work it through. I will stand by you.”
After losing his post as home secretary Mr Blunkett returned to the government as work and pensions secretary, but was again forced to resign in November last year after media reports highlighted a conflict of interest relating to his business interests.
