Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A senior British minister accused of abusing his position to help a lover fought back on Wednesday as letters were published fuelling suspicions of wrongdoing.
Home Secretary David Blunkett —— heading the government’s anti-terrorism policies ahead of an expected May election —— confirmed the authenticity of letters in the Daily Mail showing his lover’s Filipino nanny Leoncia Casalme was issued a visa in just 19 days.
But Blunkett, one of Prime Minister Tony Blair’s most trusted allies, insisted it was part of a wider process last year to speed all pending applications prior to new charges.
‘‘I have done nothing wrong … They prove absolutely nothing,’’ Blunkett said of the letters.
Blunkett, a 57-year-old divorcee, hoped to defuse criticism by setting up an inquiry to be led by former civil servant Alan Budd. But critics say it should be led by a judge to guarantee its independence, and encompass all the claims of favours towards Blunkett’s US-born former lover Kimberly Quinn, publisher of the Spectator. —Reuters
