Blunkett nanny to give evidence in visa inquiry

Pressure on David Blunkett increased today when it emerged that his ex-lover's nanny is giving evidence to the inquiry into claims that he abused his public office.

Leoncia Casalme will be interviewed by Sir Alan Budd, investigating allegations that her visa was fast-tracked after it went through the Home Secretary's office.

Mr Blunkett insists he gave no orders to civil servants but admits he showed them Ms Casalme's application form to check for errors. But she and her employer Kimberly Quinn, Mr Blunkett's former lover, say he showed officials an immigration department letter

stating the Filipina's application faced a year's delay - and that the visa was then issued in only 19 days.

Mr Blunkett was dealt a new blow last night when Parliament's standards watchdog announced that he would hold a formal inquiry into complaints that taxpayers' money was abused when he gave Mrs Quinn first-class rail tickets intended for MPs' spouses. Shadow home secretary David Davis today warned that matters were becoming "more serious" for the minister.