Blunkett faces fresh allegations of abuse of power

David Blunkett is fighting new allegations that he abused his position as a British Government minister.

The former Education secretary is accused of getting a civil servant to find out whether his son was caught up in an A-level marking fiasco in 1998.

At the time there was widespread concern that a computer problem meant some youngsters' A-level results were wrong.

Mr Blunkett's spokesman has denied the claims however the New Statesman journalist who wrote the story is standing by it.

He returned to the Cabinet following the election in May just months after being forced to resign as Home Secretary over the Nannygate visa row.

Mr Blunkett is currently on an official visit to Canada in his new role of Work and Pensions Secretary.