LONDON, Dec 15: British Home Secretary David Blunkett, one of Prime Minister Tony Blair's key allies, resigned on Wednesday after allegations that he abused his power to help his ex-lover's Filipina nanny get a visa.

"I have always been honest about my recollection of events," he said in a resignation statement. "But any perception of this application being speeded up requires me to take responsibility. That is why with enormous regret I have tendered my resignation to the prime minister today."

Mr Blunkett, a blind, was one of Mr Blair's most trusted and powerful cabinet lieutenants. He held responsibility for immigration, policing and anti-terrorism among other areas.

He announced last week that he had set up an inquiry to look into claims he had intervened improperly to help get a British visa for Leoncia Casalme, who at the time worked for his lover, magazine publisher Kimberly Quinn. He said on Wednesday that he had decided to step down after news of evidence gathered by the inquiry.

HUMBLE ORIGINS: David Blunkett is fond of recalling that he was told at school he should either be a piano tuner or a typist; no other careers were open to a working-class boy who had been blind since birth. But until repeated allegations emerged that he had abused his position to help a former lover, some believed the trusted ally of Tony Blair had the skill and drive to become the country's first ever blind prime minister.