Journalist admits affair with Blunkett's ex-lover

A journalist today admitted he also had an affair with former British Home Secretary David Blunkett’s married lover Kimberly Quinn.

Simon Hoggart, wine correspondent at the Spectator magazine she publishes, initially dismissed claims of the fling as “bullshit”.

But Radio 4 regular and Guardian columnist Mr Hoggart issued a statement this afternoon confirming a sexual relationship with the married American publisher.

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

Details of the affair are the latest astonishing twist in the drama that forced Mr Blunkett to resign over the "nannygate'' allegations on Wednesday.

Married father-of-two Mr Hoggart, 57, repeatedly denied reports in the News of the World that the pair would meet for lunch before heading to a secret love nest for sex.

Speaking from his home in St Margaret’s, south west London, this morning, Mr Hoggart said: “It’s a vile article, but it’s clearly aimed at harming Kimberly Quinn and I notice the name of David Blunkett is very prominent in it, but I do not draw any conclusions, but that is what I notice. Of course I am consulting my lawyers.”

He added: “It is just not true. I have said what I am going to say.”

However, in a statement issued to journalists outside the house this afternoon, he said: “I would like to clarify reports yesterday relating to my friendship with Kimberly Quinn.

“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.”

Mrs Quinn, heavily pregnant with a second child, only left hospital on Friday after 18 days of treatment for complications her husband Stephen said had been brought on by stress.