Blunkett blasts police over Soham

The police chief whose force destroyed records of sex attack allegations against Ian Huntley was criticised by the Home Secretary today for making "excuses".

Humberside chief constable David Westwood is under fresh pressure to resign over the failure to identify Soham murderer Huntley as a danger.

In a BBC radio interview, Mr Blunkett made clear he was furious with Mr Westwood, who claimed his officers had to delete Huntley's records because of the Data Protection Act. The Home Secretary said: "The excuse, if you like ... is frankly not a starter."

Huntley was given the go-ahead to work as a school caretaker even though Humberside police had investigated eight claims of rapes and sex attacks by him on girls. He was convicted last month of killing Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, both 10.