Blunkett ex-lover to give evidence

The Irish publisher whose wife was involved in an affair with British home secretary David Blunkett said yesterday that she would testify before an inquiry into claims that Blunkett fast-tracked a residency application for her nanny.

Meanwhile the Conservatives stepped up the pressure on Mr Blunkett by suggesting he might have to quit.

Stephen Quinn confirmed that his pregnant wife, Kimberly, publisher of The Spectator magazine, will offer evidence to the inquiry headed by former Treasury official Sir Alan Budd.