Blunkett saga takes another twist as journalist admits affair

A journalist yesterday admitted he also had an affair with the married lover of former British Home Secretary David Blunkett, in a surprise twist to the saga that led to the minister's swift fall from grace.

Simon Hoggart, wine correspondent at the Spectator magazine, which is published by Mr Blunkett’s former lover Kimberly Quinn, initially dismissed claims of the fling published in a Sunday newspaper.

But Mr Hoggart, who is also a columnist for the Guardian newspaper, later issued a statement confirming that he had had a sexual relationship with the US-born publisher.

However, he went on insist he could not be the father of her two-year-old child, which Mr Blunkett says is his son, or her unborn baby.

“I would like to clarify reports yesterday relating to my friendship with Kimberly Quinn,” Mr Hoggart said in a statement.

“Contrary to the impression I gave last night we did have a sexual relationship which started before her marriage but the relationship became very infrequent indeed afterwards.

“There is no possibility that I could be the father of either of her children.

“I deeply regret the hurt I have caused to my wife and family.

“I shall have nothing more to say on the subject.”

Mr Blunkett resigned last Wednesday after admitting his office wrongly intervened to speed up a British visa application lodged by the nanny of his then-lover Ms Quinn, though he denied personal knowledge of the matter.

After the three-year affair ended in August, Mr Blunkett, who is divorced with three adult sons, began an acrimonious legal battle to establish paternity over Ms Quinn's two-year-old son, so as to be allowed access.

He is also reportedly seeking to claim paternity for the unborn child Ms Quinn, who is seven months pregnant, is carrying.