New Blunkett bombshell

6:43am Thursday 13th October 2005

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David Blunkett may have breached the MPs' Code of Conduct by using House of Commons headed notepaper in a private matter to object to a development near his house in Southfields.

He did not mention his ownership of the south-west London property, referring to himself merely as a "former resident".

And, in a bizarre twist, the money from the planned development is earmarked to transform a nearby school for the blind.

The beleagured Secretary of State for Work and Pensions - himself blind - wrote to Wandsworth Council on September 6 from his constituency office in Sheffield, saying he was "deeply concerned" about the environmental impact of the proposed redevelopment of Clevedon Lodge, in Augustus Road.

He then signed off as a Government minister, despite this being a private matter.

Mr Blunkett, lost his job as Home Secretary last December after an official inquiry found "a chain of events" linking him to the fast-tracking of a visa application for his lover's nanny.

Mr Blunkett's property, 4 Fulwood Walk, backs on to council-owned Clevedon Lodge, where it is proposed to build private apartments.

The sale of the land would be used to fund improvements at nearby Linden Lodge School for blind and partially-sighted children.

On Tuesday Mr Blunkett admitted using Commons paper to make comments on the application, but said it was an "honest mistake" and that he should have used plain paper.

But Mr Blunkett's spokesman said he stood by the letter, and had not tried to conceal ownership of the house in Fulwood Walk which is a matter of "public record". He said Mr Blunkett was only concerned about the environmental impact of the flats and his comments should be seen as "unrelated to potential revenue" for the school.

"David Blunkett did not and does not oppose this development. However, after being approached by residents, he expressed his concerns about the environmental impact. He did so as an ex-resident who knows the area well," said the spokesman.

"He dictated the letter to his office. In retrospect, he recognises he should have specified that the letter went on plain paper. This was an honest mistake in good faith."

However, the final paragraph of Mr Blunkett's letter states: "I would be very grateful if this could be taken as an objection to that part of the planning application which involves destroying the very screening that is both beneficial for wildlife but also critical to the wellbeing of existing residents."

A leaflet explaining how MPs can use the House of Commons stationery and emblem states: "The Crowned Portcullis is a royal badge and its use by the House has been formally authorised by licence granted by Her Majesty the Queen.

"The designs and symbols of the House should only be used for appropriate purposes and not when it might wrongly be regarded or represented as carrying the authority of the House when this is not the case."

Mr Blunkett is understood to have rented out Fulwood Walk. The council wants to build four two-bedroom and two one-bedroom flats to the front, and a three-storey terrace of three houses to the rear of Clevedon Lodge.

Mr Blunkett joins a long list of Southfields residents who say building private flats on the land will damage wildlife, have a negative visual impact, and overcrowd the area.

But Linden Lodge School is desperate for the application to be passed for the benefit of its blind and partially-sighted children.

The council has already released funds from the potential Clevedon Lodge asset for the school, in expectation of being able to recoup it from the sale.

The disused Clevedon Lodge was not seen as a fit site for the school to use in the future.

Instead, its sale is partially funding a £4million development at the Princes Way school including a 37-bed residential complex, new teaching accommodation, pool facilities and a play area.

Headteacher Roger Legate praised the council's commitment to improving facilities for the children.

He said: "Had Wandsworth not used the lodge to reinvest in the school, Linden Lodge would not be able to provide the amazing facilities we have now."