Blunkett is silent over lover claim

David Blunkett refused yesterday to discuss claims that he is having an affair with a married mother.

He insisted his private life had no bearing on his job as Home Secretary or as an MP.

'After my divorce, I decided not to talk again about my subsequent private life,' he said in a statement.

'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.'

Mr Blunkett, 57, has allegedly been seeing the woman, who is in her 40s and has one child, for three years.

They are said to have met regularly at his London home and his cottage in the Peak District. She lives in London.

But their relationship is now at a crossroads and they got together on Wednesday to take stock, the News of the World claimed.

A source, said to be close to the woman, was quoted as saying: 'None of this rests easily with David. He has a deep conscience. But this is no casual fling. He's totally in love with her - complete and utter devotion.

'He wants to be with her within the confines of a normal, loving relationship. But, until now, she has refused to leave her husband for him.'

Mr Blunkett, MP for Sheffield Brightside, has three children from his former marriage to Ruth Mitchell. They divorced in 1990 after 18 years.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The Home Secretary's private life is a private matter. The Prime Minister thinks he is doing an excellent job.'