Blunkett quits after new allegations
David Blunkett resigned yesterday as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, following intense criticism of his ill-judged directorship of a DNA company as yet more allegations of financial impropriety emerged.
In a statement Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, said: “David Blunkett chose to resign because he had reached the conclusion that the position was untenable.”
Blunkett insisted Blair asked him to stay, but there has been considerable speculation that the PM pushed him out because he had become a liability. It has also been rumoured that further allegations of sleaze are due to hit the press this morning.
In the latest in a series of financial scandals it emerged yesterday that Blunkett had been paid £20,000 by Jewish charity ORT for consultancy work. ORT is backing proposals for a £46m state-funded school for Jewish children and there were allegations that Blunkett’s role involved lobbying. Neither ORT nor Blunkett would comment on the arrangement beyond saying it involved “future development”.
Blunkett’s decision coincided with comments made in a newspaper interview by Lord Nolan, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which suggested that Blair should sack him. Blunkett said he was “deeply sorry” for any embarrassment he caused Tony Blair, but left office blaming the press and the Tory party for his demise.
The departure of a once-trusted minister leaves Blair with very few friends in the Cabinet.
Tory party leader Michael Howard lost no time in attacking him, asking Parliament: “For how long will this country have to put up with this lame duck prime minister, in office, but not in power?”
Blair faces a crunch vote next week on the controversial Counterterrorism bill, which has been roundly criticised by human rights campaigners.
Senior Labour MPs are already saying the government could lose the vote. A Blair loyalist John Hutton was named as his replacement yesterday afternoon. Hutton was formerly Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.