'Remorseful' Quinn accepts Blunkett must have access to son

Kimberly Quinn is filled with "grief and remorse" and accepts that David Blunkett will have access to her son, her friends say.

The 44-year-old is said to be "coming to terms" with the fact that he is entitled to see the boy if he is proved to be his father.

News of the apparent softening of her stance came as she left London with her husband yesterday morning for a holiday in a secret location.

Stephen Quinn, 60, Mrs Quinn, two-year-old William and the family's nanny struggled through a media scrum outside their Mayfair home yesterday morning. Mr Quinn said only that the family were going to "the country".

Mrs Quinn's supporters deny she is triumphant at Mr Blunkett's fall. One of those who have spoken for the American publisher of The Spectator said: "This is an awful situation for everyone. She is full of grief and remorse."

The Quinn camp also offered an olive branch to the former Home Secretary, who is pursuing his right to access through the High Court.

"If he's the biological father it is obvious that he must have access. She is coming to terms with that," said the friend.

Mr Blunkett remains angry that Mrs Quinn has sought to give the impression that his decision to go to court has put the unborn child at risk.

Mrs Quinn left St Mary's Hospital in west London on Friday night after a 14-day stay. She was said to be suffering from a stress-related complication in her seven-month pregnancy, brought on by her battle with her former lover.

Mr Blunkett challenged the account. "The baby has never been at risk at all - because I have had all the medical reports ... she's done a pretty good job of presenting herself," he said yesterday.