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Blunkett defends 'open' diaries Blunkett defends 'open' diaries
(2 days later)
David Blunkett says he believes his "open" diaries do not harm the party or government and said he had left out the "tittle tattle" of former colleagues.David Blunkett says he believes his "open" diaries do not harm the party or government and said he had left out the "tittle tattle" of former colleagues.
He told BBC 1's Sunday AM programme they showed the "up and downers" of any government and of exchanges concerning "massive issues" that were discussed. He told BBC One's Sunday AM programme they showed the "up and downers" of any government and of exchanges concerning "massive issues" that were discussed.
But the ex-minister, who resigned twice from the government, added: "If I have upset people I am genuinely sorry."But the ex-minister, who resigned twice from the government, added: "If I have upset people I am genuinely sorry."
He said financial reasons were part of his decision to publish his memoirs.He said financial reasons were part of his decision to publish his memoirs.
No 'kiss and tell'No 'kiss and tell'
But he said figures being put about by the media were "greatly exaggerated".But he said figures being put about by the media were "greatly exaggerated".
"I make no apology for doing what my predecessors have done, which is to reach the best deal - but the best deal that cut out the kiss and tell," he said."I make no apology for doing what my predecessors have done, which is to reach the best deal - but the best deal that cut out the kiss and tell," he said.
He denied that the sole reason for publishing was for the money, but said: "I certainly could do with the cash."He denied that the sole reason for publishing was for the money, but said: "I certainly could do with the cash."
Mr Blunkett was speaking in his first interview since serialisation of the diaries began last week.Mr Blunkett was speaking in his first interview since serialisation of the diaries began last week.
The diaries were recorded during Mr Blunkett's eight years in the Cabinet and are due to be published in book form on Monday.The diaries were recorded during Mr Blunkett's eight years in the Cabinet and are due to be published in book form on Monday.
I have not got the clout to make a difference, perhaps next year my street cred will be higher David Blunkett MPI have not got the clout to make a difference, perhaps next year my street cred will be higher David Blunkett MP
And Mr Blunkett - former home secretary and work and pensions secretary in the Blair government - talked of a desire to return to the front-bench next year.And Mr Blunkett - former home secretary and work and pensions secretary in the Blair government - talked of a desire to return to the front-bench next year.
Speaking of the position of deputy leader, he declined to say whether he would stand or who should be in that role.Speaking of the position of deputy leader, he declined to say whether he would stand or who should be in that role.
"I have not got the clout to make a difference, perhaps next year my street cred will be higher," he added."I have not got the clout to make a difference, perhaps next year my street cred will be higher," he added.
Talking of his comment in the book about Gordon Brown, he admitted writing that he believed Tony Blair would "take him out" if he did not give his backing to the war in Iraq.Talking of his comment in the book about Gordon Brown, he admitted writing that he believed Tony Blair would "take him out" if he did not give his backing to the war in Iraq.
'Going mad''Going mad'
"I used that expression then, I would not use it now," he told interviewer Huw Edwards."I used that expression then, I would not use it now," he told interviewer Huw Edwards.
Questioned about whether his diary gave the impression that the chancellor had not been fully supportive of military action in Iraq at the start, Mr Blunkett said Mr Brown's support was known "behind the scenes".Questioned about whether his diary gave the impression that the chancellor had not been fully supportive of military action in Iraq at the start, Mr Blunkett said Mr Brown's support was known "behind the scenes".
"When he came public it was very welcome," he added."When he came public it was very welcome," he added.
While saying he thought Mr Brown would make a good prime minister, Mr Blunkett held back from declaring publicly who he would back as the party's new leader.While saying he thought Mr Brown would make a good prime minister, Mr Blunkett held back from declaring publicly who he would back as the party's new leader.
"We have not yet got a declared list, but when we do I will be happy to make my position clear," he added."We have not yet got a declared list, but when we do I will be happy to make my position clear," he added.
Mr Blunkett's diaries have been serialised in the Guardian and Daily Mail, shedding light on his feelings at his second resignation from government in November 2005.Mr Blunkett's diaries have been serialised in the Guardian and Daily Mail, shedding light on his feelings at his second resignation from government in November 2005.
Speaking of this time he admitted writing that he thought he was "going mad".Speaking of this time he admitted writing that he thought he was "going mad".
"I was describing lies .... I looked at the ceiling and wrote in my diary, amongst other things, 'I must be going mad'," he said."I was describing lies .... I looked at the ceiling and wrote in my diary, amongst other things, 'I must be going mad'," he said.
He told the programme he was starting to doubt himself, but in retrospect he looks back more on the effect the furore over his affair with magazine publisher Kimberly Quinn had on family and friends.He told the programme he was starting to doubt himself, but in retrospect he looks back more on the effect the furore over his affair with magazine publisher Kimberly Quinn had on family and friends.
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