Sleaze chief blasts nanny probe

The chief sleaze watchdog today dealt a serious blow to the credibility of an inquiry set up to clear David Blunkett's name.

He said the inquiry chief should have been chosen by impartial figures with no connection to Mr Blunkett's department. Instead, the Home Secretary asked his most senior civil servant to make the choice.

Sir Alistair made clear the committee felt the inquiry - which will examine claims by Mr Blunkett's ex-lover Kimberly Quinn that he rushed through a visa for her nanny - could be tainted as a result.

Seven months ago, the committee issued a report calling for new Whitehall rules setting up an independent tribunal of "wise men" to set up inquiries into ministerial sleaze allegations. Its recommendation was flatly rejected by the Government in September. "This committee was disappointed that the Government did not take the opportunity to put this mechanism in place," said Sir Alistair. "Current events demonstrate the continuing practical relevance of adopting these recommendations."

Mr Blunkett continued to enjoy public support from Cabinet colleagues such as Chancellor Gordon Brown. It also emerged that the Home Secretary had lunch yesterday with Mr Brown's wife, Sarah.

Labour MPs are becoming nervous, however, that the Prime Minister's key law and order campaign is being blown off course by the row. Many were banking on the Chancellor's pre-Budget report on Thursday to steady the ship.

The attack is a further blow to the inquiry, launched last night by Home Office permanent secretary John Gieve. Tories blasted the choice of former Treasury economist Sir Alan Budd, saying a judge should have been selected to ensure impartiality. They also criticised the terms of reference for permitting only questions about the nanny case and were set to demand a second inquiry, this time into Mr Blunkett's admission that he gave two first-class rail tickets to his lover.

Sir Philip Mawer, the commissioner for Parliamentary standards, could order an investigation if he felt there were sufficient grounds to suspect improper behaviour. Mr Blunkett was reportedly ready to apologise for using taxpayers' money on Mrs Quinn.

Eyebrows were also raised when Tony Blair predicted Mr Blunkett would be "exonerated" by the probe into the visa allegations.

In a statement, Sir Alistair's committee said it was wrong to allow civil servants like Mr Gieve to be dragged into sleaze rows in case their impartiality was questioned.

It said its proposals for a team of wise men were "designed specifically to address the type of investigation which is the subject of considerable speculation".