Journalist admits Quinn affair

A leading journalist yesterday admitted being Kimberly Quinn's lover while she was having an affair with David Blunkett.

Simon Hoggart, a columnist for The Guardian, confirmed he had a 'sexual relationship' with Mrs Quinn while she was married to Stephen Quinn and having a secret affair with the Home Secretary.

Mr Hoggart, 57, who also writes for the Spectator magazine which Mrs Quinn publishes, initially said claims in a Sunday paper that the pair went to a secret love nest for sex were 'bulls***'.

He added that the 'vile' article was aimed at harming 44-year-old Mrs Quinn and said he was considering legal action.

Mr Hoggart added: 'I'm a friend of Kimberly and have been for a long time. We are colleagues as well. Nothing happened.'

However, just hours later, he backtracked and said the pair had an affair, although he insisted he could not be the father of her two-year-old child or her unborn baby. Standing outside his family home near Richmond, South-West London, the married father-of-two said: 'I would like to clarify reports yesterday relating to my friendship with Kimberly Quinn. We did have a sexual relationship, which started before her marriage, but the relationship became very infrequent indeed afterwards.'

He continued: 'I deeply regret the hurt I have caused to my wife and family.'

Details of the affair are the latest twist in the drama that forced Mr Blunkett to resign over the 'nannygate' allegations last Wednesday.

He is claiming to be the father of Mrs Quinn's children. He also denies fast-tracking a visa application for his lover's nanny.

Sir Alan Budd is due to report the findings of his independent inquiry into the visa application row later this week.