David Blunkett

David Blunkett

David Blunkett is a British Labour Party politician and has been Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside since 1987. Blind since birth, and from a poor family, he became Education Secretary from 1997 to 2001, and then Home Secretary from 2001 to 2004, when he resigned after a scandal. Following the 2005 General Election he was appointed to the position of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, but was again forced to resign on 2 November 2005 after a series of reports about his external business interests during his brief time outside the cabinet.

Foreign travel

25-30 November 2007, to Israel and Palestine with Labour Friends of Israel (LFI). Travel and hospitality paid for by LFI. Accommodation paid for by LFI at a rate discounted through the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some hospitality provided by the Palestinian Legislative Council/Palestinian Authority. Travel within Israel/Palestine provided by LFI.

Media relationship

In August 2003 The Sun printed a full week of coverage dedicated to criticising asylum seekers. David Blunkett wrote an article for the paper supporting their stance. He said, "I am not in dispute with the Sun on this week’s coverage." According to journalist Peter Oborne the campaign was the result of a co-ordinated effort between The Sun and the Government. Oborne explains, "Sun readers never knew that Blunkett had quietly agreed to meet the paper and knew about the campaign before it had even started."

Work outside parliament

In 2005, just weeks after his resignation as DWP secretary, Blunkett was signed by The Sun to write a weekly column. Blunkett was said to be close friends with Rebekah Brooks, the editor of The Sun at the time.

In 2007 Blunkett was hired by Entrust, a security firm who had registered their interest in the Labour Party's identity card scheme. The move brought great scepticism as during his time in the Cabinet Blunkett was one of the main figures pushing for the introduction of identity cards. At the time, his spokesman claimed Blunkett would be advising for the company overseas and not working in Britain.

In 2011, Blunkett signed a contract with News International to advise them on social responsibility, originally receiving £25,000 for six months work. The contract was renewed, this time a twelve month contract with an annual wage of £49,500 for 14 or 15 days during the year. Blunkett has previous with News International, having been a victim of the phone hacking scandal and received around £300,000 in compensation from the company.

Affiliations

• Entrust (http://www.entrust.com/) - IT security company. Approved by ACOBA subject to "two years after leaving office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying UK Ministers or officials on behalf of the company"
• Chairman of a commission on school transport, First Group Limited (http://www.firstgroup.com/) - Travel company
• UC Group Limited. (http://www.uc.com/)
• A4e Limited (http://www.a4e.co.uk/About_Us.aspx) - Company focusing on design, development and delivery of front-line public services
• Labour Friends of Israel
• Director, HADAW Productions and Investments Ltd, June 2006. In May 2006 ACOBA approved the role saying, "take up forthwith"
• Chair of Commission on School Transport, July 2007. Approved by ACOBA who said, "take up forthwith"

Resources

• Eden, Richard, "Ambitious David Blunkett finds his fortune on the internet," Telegraph, 15 November 2008], accessed 24 November 2008.
• Hinsliff, Gaby, "Blunkett is given job identity firm," Guardian, 25 March 2007, accessed 24 November 2008.
• UK Parliament, Overseas visits, registered 5 December 2007, accessed 24 November 2008.
• Ungoed-Thomas, Jon, et al., "Revealed: how minister cashed in on contacts," The Sunday Times, 23 November 2008, accessed 24 November 2008.