Blunkett quits 'to protect government'
David Blunkett quit the Cabinet for the second time in less than a year today - saying he wanted to protect the British government from being diverted by rows over his business dealings.
The ex-Work and Pensions Secretary called a press conference to defend his conduct after weeks of controversy over his links with technology firm DNA Bioscience and other firms.
“I’m guilty of a mistake and I’m paying the price of it,” he told reporters, after accepting he should have consulted an advisory committee before taking up new jobs after leaving office for the first time in December.
His resignation was announced at 11am today and Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Commons an hour later that his close ally “goes, in my view, with no stain of impropriety against him whatsoever”.
Downing Street insisted the minister resigned and was not sacked.
