Britain's Home Secretary David Blunkett has resigned after an inquiry found his office was involved in speeding up a visa application for his ex lover's nanny.
Mr Blunkett said he had no recollection of dealing with the case but added that he would not hide behind civil servants.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair accepted the resignation and said Mr Blunkett was leaving government with his integrity intact.
It had been following the break-up of his relationship with a married woman that allegations had surfaced that Mr Blunkett had speeded up the visa application from the woman's Filipino nanny.
The inquiry into the affair established that there had been an exchange of correspondence which showed the application had been rushed through following Mr Blunkett's intervention.
Mr Blair had been reluctant to let his close political ally go but criticism of some cabinet colleagues by Mr Blunkett in a biography had already lost him crucial support inside government and on the Labour back benches.
He has been replaced by Education Secretary Charles Clarke.
