Menu
01/12/2004
Blunkett faces down claims of wrong doing
David Blunkett has refuted allegations of wrong doing and said he played no part in fast tracking a visa application for his former lover's nanny.
Mr Blunkett was forced to issue a statement this morning following the publication in the Daily Mail of two Home Office letters to Leoncia Casalme, Kimberly Quinn's nanny.
The first informed Ms Casalme that her application could take up to a year to process and the second letter, dated 19 days later says that she is now free to stay in the country indefinitely.
Speaking before going into work this morning, the Home Secretary said: "There is no dispute whatsoever about the documents that the Daily Mail have produced this morning. They are authentic. They prove absolutely nothing except that we were moving through the process of fast-tracking a very large number of documents prior to the beginning of charging for indefinite leave to remain.
"I wouldn’t be standing here and I wouldn’t have had the support of the Prime Minister or have requested myself on Sunday the review if I thought there was any doubt whatsoever about what I’d done, my integrity, my openness."
Downing Street has maintained its support for Mr Blunkett and suggested that the result of the review commissioned on Monday could be known as early as next week.
In defence of the Home Secretary, the Shadow Home Secretary suggested that it could be that civil servants 'knew the particular application had passed through Mr Blunkett's private office so processed it quickly.'
Meanwhile Mrs Quinn, the Publisher of the Spectator Magazine, who is seven months pregnant has been in hospital since Monday.
She is reported to have been admitted suffering from "stress".
(mmcg/sp)
Mr Blunkett was forced to issue a statement this morning following the publication in the Daily Mail of two Home Office letters to Leoncia Casalme, Kimberly Quinn's nanny.
The first informed Ms Casalme that her application could take up to a year to process and the second letter, dated 19 days later says that she is now free to stay in the country indefinitely.
Speaking before going into work this morning, the Home Secretary said: "There is no dispute whatsoever about the documents that the Daily Mail have produced this morning. They are authentic. They prove absolutely nothing except that we were moving through the process of fast-tracking a very large number of documents prior to the beginning of charging for indefinite leave to remain.
"I wouldn’t be standing here and I wouldn’t have had the support of the Prime Minister or have requested myself on Sunday the review if I thought there was any doubt whatsoever about what I’d done, my integrity, my openness."
Downing Street has maintained its support for Mr Blunkett and suggested that the result of the review commissioned on Monday could be known as early as next week.
In defence of the Home Secretary, the Shadow Home Secretary suggested that it could be that civil servants 'knew the particular application had passed through Mr Blunkett's private office so processed it quickly.'
Meanwhile Mrs Quinn, the Publisher of the Spectator Magazine, who is seven months pregnant has been in hospital since Monday.
She is reported to have been admitted suffering from "stress".
(mmcg/sp)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 September 2003
Pioneering crime-busting centre to be opened in Liverpool
Liverpool is to be the location for Britain's first American-style community justice centre, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced. The announcement came during a fact-finding visit to Merseyside by the Home Office ministerial team and senior Home Office Board members.
Pioneering crime-busting centre to be opened in Liverpool
Liverpool is to be the location for Britain's first American-style community justice centre, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced. The announcement came during a fact-finding visit to Merseyside by the Home Office ministerial team and senior Home Office Board members.
05 June 2003
Blunkett holds 'constructive' talks with Afghan President
The Home Secretary held what has been described as a "constructive" meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai in London today. David Blunkett said that the pair focused on the issue of asylum seekers and he hailed the "helpful cooperation" of the Afghan government on the issue. Mr Karzai is expected to meet with the Prime Minister later today.
Blunkett holds 'constructive' talks with Afghan President
The Home Secretary held what has been described as a "constructive" meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai in London today. David Blunkett said that the pair focused on the issue of asylum seekers and he hailed the "helpful cooperation" of the Afghan government on the issue. Mr Karzai is expected to meet with the Prime Minister later today.
14 May 2003
Police to roll out fines scheme for anti-social crime
Police will be able to issue fines of up to £80 as part of a bid to reduce the amount of time they spend on paperwork. A trial scheme has proved to help officers tackle anti-social behaviour, like drunk and disorderly behaviour will be introduced nationwide by the end of the year.
Police to roll out fines scheme for anti-social crime
Police will be able to issue fines of up to £80 as part of a bid to reduce the amount of time they spend on paperwork. A trial scheme has proved to help officers tackle anti-social behaviour, like drunk and disorderly behaviour will be introduced nationwide by the end of the year.
11 April 2003
School-leavers encouraged toward voluntary work
Young people from low-income backgrounds are to get extra support to become volunteers for a year after they finish school, college or training.
School-leavers encouraged toward voluntary work
Young people from low-income backgrounds are to get extra support to become volunteers for a year after they finish school, college or training.
28 October 2004
Lib Dems deride ID card scheme as costly and insecure
The Home Secretary's new ID cards will be costly for the public, insecure and will divert funds away from policing, according to the Liberal Democrats.
Lib Dems deride ID card scheme as costly and insecure
The Home Secretary's new ID cards will be costly for the public, insecure and will divert funds away from policing, according to the Liberal Democrats.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
