DAVID BLUNKETT receives public backing today for his determination to stay in office in the face of revelations about his affair with Kimberly Quinn and allegations that he fast-tracked a visa for her nanny.

A new Populus poll for The Times indicates that a clear majority of voters believe that Mr Blunkett should not resign as Home Secretary over the charges of misuse of his ministerial position. Three fifths of those questioned say that the stories made no real difference to their view of his integrity.

The poll was largely conducted before the weekend disclosures of an earlier affair with a civil servant 20 years younger than him when he was Education Secretary and it is not known what impact those reports would have on opinion. But the findings will come as some relief to Mr Blunkett after a day spent apologising to Cabinet colleagues who have steadfastly supported him.

The Home Secretary said sorry to Charles Clarke, Patricia Hewitt and Jack Straw, among others, for unkind assessments about them which appear in a biography that is being serialised in the Daily Mail.

While resolved to fight on, Mr Blunkett appeared to seek public understanding for his plight. In a BBC interview he said: “All of us in our lives have to rely on the support and well-being of others. Sometimes we make mistakes . . .” He refused to say whether he had considered resigning but added: “I don’t think anyone can say I have said one thing in public and done another in private.”

• Populus interviewed 1,511 adults by telephone between December 3 and 5.

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