THERE is a great deal of sympathy for David Blunkett following the intrusion into his private life. While there are some contrasting views over his record as Home Secretary, there has always been widespread respect for his integrity and straight-talking.

We have no reason to believe that recent revelations about his private life will change the popular perception of him as a public servant.

However, the latest allegations, that he misused his position to help a former lover, are not private matters. They go to the very heart of the trust placed in him as a minister of the Crown.

The suspicion that the Home Secretary intervened in a visa application must not be allowed to linger.

It is in the public interest that these allegations are not only aired, but also examined.

We applaud Mr Blunkett for making the prompt and wise decision to make these allegations the subject of an independent review. We hope the review will be swift and thorough.

If this review finds Mr Blunkett guilty of misuse of his office, then his position will be untenable.

Everybody, including politicians, have the right to privacy. But if they allow their private lives to interfere with their public duties then they have no right to positions of such great responsibility.

To do so would amount to a gross error of judgement. We expect politicians, and particularly senior Cabinet ministers, to make serious judgements every day of the year.

Trust is an essential virtue we demand of them.