David Blunkett secretly dates TV Amanda Burton

FORMER Home Secretary David Blunkett and Silent Witness star Amanda Burton have been sharing intimate dinner dates.

Our exclusive picture shows them slipping out of an exclusive London restaurant on Tuesday.

And the couple spent several hours more together before getting home after midnight. Blunkett—twiced forced to quit his political jobs after a series of scandals—is said to be "close" to Burton, whose 17-year marriage ended last year.

Amanda Burton

Affair

The 58-year-old bearded divorcee and the 49-year-old mum-of-two became friendly after moving to within a mile of each other in West London.

That friendship deepened when they started working on a new TV show together. An insider said: "David really enjoys the company of women. He loves spending time with Amanda.

"They had a fantastic time on Tuesday. They didn't want the night to end after the meal and carried on partying."

Blunkett's high-flying career as one of Tony Blair's closest allies crashed after his affair with publisher's wife Kimberly Quinn led to a paternity battle.

So it's not surprising that he and Burton have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep their meetings under wraps.

David Blunkett 

They were first spotted at the trendy Wolseley restaurant in London's Piccadilly last month.

Other diners said they looked really close, but they arrived alone and left separately.

The pair went through a similar cloak-and-dagger routine last Tuesday when they dined at the Café Du Marche restaurant near St Paul's Cathedral.

Burton arrived on her own at 7.45pm and waited 15 minutes for Blunkett. He made his way to the back of the restaurant with guide dog Sadie to join Amanda in a secluded corner behind the jazz duo.

Together

She had removed the plain white coat she was wearing when she arrived to reveal a sexy gold-coloured blouse for the date.

KEEPING MUM: Burton spotted with Blunkett. Picture: Kerry Davies & Bradley Page

Unlike their earlier liaison, they left together in his chaffeur-driven Jaguar.

Blunkett told the News of the World: "I'm engaged in discussing a pilot television programme with Amanda Burton for the BBC.

"I require the right to be able to see and speak to who the hell I like about my business and public affairs."

When we confronted Burton at her home yesterday she said: "Oh my God, give me a break" before slamming the door.

Additional reporting: LEWIS PANTHER