Blunkett quits over visa row

An inquiry into that allegation has yet to report but Blunkett said on Wednesday the visa process had been inadvertently accelerated.

Pressure had mounted on Blunkett 8212;8212; a staunch ally of Blair who is known for his forthright views 8212;8212; in past days following criticism levelled at fellow ministers in a biography.

A spokesman for Blunkett confirmed that his boss had quit. Blunkett was crucial to Blair8217;s centre-left government, in charge of security and anti-terrorism policies.

Blunkett, blind since birth and routinely accompanied by his guide dog Sadie at the House of Commons, has failed to escape the spotlight following comments he made about a raft of ministers in a biography. He said Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had left the Home Office in a mess and called other ministers 8216;8216;soft8217;8217; and 8216;8216;weak8217;8217;.