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.

Affiliations

• Entrust (http://www.entrust.com/) - IT security 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

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.