Blunkett recovers after surgery on stomach

David Blunkett was recovering in hospital yesterday after undergoing surgery for a long-standing health problem that affects his digestion.

The Home Secretary, 55, was admitted to an undisclosed hospital in Yorkshire on Sunday and is expected to be out of politics over Christmas while he recovers.

He had an operation to deal with a "long-standing problem relating to his oesophagus and stomach," the Home Office said.

"The surgery was preventative and he has been given a clean bill of health for the future," it said. "The operation, which was planned, was carried out under the NHS at a hospital in Yorkshire.

"The Home Secretary is recovering well and is in contact with the office, although he will use the Christmas period to convalesce fully." A Home Office spokesman said that he was not prepared to discuss the duration of the operation but confirmed that it was "major surgery".

"He had digestion problems as a result of a faulty oesophagus," the spokesman said.

While Mr Blunkett is away, the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, will take on responsibility for counter-terrorism matters. The Christmas period is likely to be a busy one for Mr Prescott with a growing number of warnings about the potential for an attack by followers of al-Qa'ida.

The three Home Office ministers of state will take over day-to-day running of the department.

Mr Blunkett became MP for Sheffield Brightside in 1987 after seven years as leader of Sheffield City Council.