UK minister resigns over visa row
LONDON, England (CNN) -- British Home Secretary David Blunkett has resigned after allegations that he abused the position for personal reasons.
Blunkett, 57, stepped down Wednesday after weeks of questions whether he helped speed up a residence visa for the nanny of a former lover, U.S.-born magazine publisher Kimberley Quinn.
The controversy surrounding Blunkett and Quinn, a married woman with whom he had a three-year affair, has led to an official inquiry.
Blunkett, who is blind, was responsible for anti-terrorism and security policies in the UK.
Blunkett has been one of Prime Minister Tony Blair's most trusted allies.
"I've taken more stress than any politician should," he said on television late Wednesday, his voice cracking and with tears in his eyes.
Blunkett said he decided to resign after Alan Budd, who is heading the inquiry, established there had been an exchange of emails concerning the visa application between the Home Office and immigration officials.
Those exchanges were "not based on the application form as originally alleged but on the subsequent letter (informing the nanny of a possible 12-month delay) of which I was always aware but did not remember holding a copy. I have no recollection of dealing with this in any way," Blunkett said in a statement.
"I have always been honest about my recollection of events. But any perception of this application being speeded up requires me to take responsibility," he said.
"That is why with enormous regret I have tendered my resignation to the prime minister today.
Prime Minister Blair on Wednesday appointed Charles Clarke as Home Secretary to replace Blunkett.
Clarke, 54, currently serves as Education Secretary.
Clarke most recently engaged in a verbal stoush with Britain's Prince Charles over comments by the royal over what he called the UK's "child-centered" education system "which admits no failure."
That led Clarke to call the Prince of Wales "old-fashioned and out of time." (Full story)
Clarke will be replaced by Ruth Kelly, with her job of Cabinet Office minister going to junior education minister David Milliband, Downing Street said.
