Blunkett promises to sell shares.

Publication: Europe Intelligence Wire

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Financial Times Ltd.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

David Blunkett tonight pledged to sell his family's shares in the firm DNA Bioscience, which have fuelled a damaging row as to whether he breached the ministerial code.

The work and pensions secretary has, in the past few days, faced mounting criticism over his two-week spell working for the firm earlier this year and his purchase of shares in the company, neither of which were declared to the cabinet secretary at the time.

In a brief written statement released tonight, Mr Blunkett said he had decided the shares should be sold to "avoid continuing misinterpretation" of his position and "to protect family and friends from further intrusion".

He insisted there...

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