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To: maceng2 who wrote (664)	12/15/2004 2:48:01 PM
From: maceng2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1417

Big blow to UK "New Labour" party. Blunkett is gone. An email got him. [I think emails are going to get lots of folks in positions of influence over time pb] Blunkett quits as home secretary Mr Bunkett says he has done nothing wrong news.bbc.co.uk David Blunkett has quit as home secretary after an e-mail emerged showing a visa application for his ex-lover's nanny had been fast-tracked. The e-mail had said "no favours but slightly quicker". Mr Blunkett said he had not been aware of its contents and insisted he had done nothing wrong. But he said questions about his integrity had damaged the government. Tony Blair said Mr Blunkett was a force for good in British politics who "left government with his integrity intact". Fresh claims Sir Alan Budd's inquiry into the allegations had established there had been an exchange of e-mails about the visa application between Mr Blunkett's office and immigration officials. Mr Blunkett said: "I have always been honest about my recollection of events. "But any perception of this application being speeded up requires me to take responsibility. "That is why with enormous regret I have tendered my resignation to the prime minister today." Sir Alan had been due to unveil his findings before the Christmas break. 'Mortified' In an emotional interview with BBC Political Editor Andrew Marr, Mr Blunkett said: "I did not in August initiate the terrible trauma of my relationship (with ex-lover Kimberley Quinn) coming to the fore. "I did not in late November start the plethora of linking my private life with public events again. "I am mortified that that was done and I am very sorry. I'm not even angry, I'm just terribly hurt and I want people to know that in my public life I have always tried to help people. "I have never tried to fiddle my role as leader of the city of Sheffield, as an MP or as a minister." 'Right thing' Tony Blair has stood by Mr Blunkett throughout the row. But the home secretary's position became more uncertain after he criticised a string of Cabinet colleagues in a new biography. A copy of a new biography of Mr Blunkett - containing attacks on colleagues - was hurled across the Commons chamber by government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong. Her gesture was widely interpreted as expressing her frustration at the continuing controversy enveloping the then home secretary. Mr Blunkett said: "Because the thousands of people who wrote to me, who rang me and who emailed me believed in my honesty and integrity and that above all is critical, not just for the me but for the government and the integrity of Tony Blair, who has backed me to the hilt. "I have built my reputation on honesty, I have sometimes been too honest." Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said Mr Blunkett had done the right thing. But he said Mr Blunkett had been a bad home secretary because he was so authoritarian, though he was clearly very able and talented.