I am writing to you regarding an article published on Sunday, May 24, by Cedric Wilson, 'A resignation in 30 seconds,' ostensibly relating to the departure of the speaker of the House of Commons.

In the course of this article, Wilson referred to my resignation from the Home Office in December 2004. He claimed that I had an "excessive sense of entitlement" and stated: "In order to speed up the visa application for the nanny employed to an ex-lover, Blunkett used the power of his political office in an inappropriate manner."

You have got this totally wrong. The inquiry undertaken by Sir Alan Budd (which I instituted) into the visa allegations found that I had not been responsible for any 'fast-tracking'. This is made clear in the inquiry's report.

I am, etc.,

DAVID BLUNKETT

House of Commons

London SW 1A 0AA