Home secretary: private matter

Downing Street has spoken out in support of the home secretary following newspaper claims that he is romantically involved with a married woman.

According to the News of the World, David Blunkett has been involved in a secret three-year affair with the 40-something mother of one.

Commenting on the claims a spokesman for Tony Blair said: "The home secretary's private life is a private matter. The prime minister thinks he is doing an excellent job as home secretary."

The newspaper says the woman has to date refused to leave her husband despite her links to the Cabinet minister.

In a statement issued last night, Blunkett refused to be drawn on the details of his relationship.

"After my divorce I decided not to talk again about my subsequent private life," said the home secretary.

"I have stuck to that principle over the years, whatever the pressure to confirm or deny a particular story and defended all politicians' right to a degree of privacy in their private life.

"I am adhering to this approach now. My personal life is my business and has never compromised my jobs as an MP and Cabinet minister.

"Anyone purporting to speak about my private life does so without knowledge or authority."