Blunkett wades into drowning row

SHEFFIELD MP and former Home Secretary David Blunkett has shamed two police support officers - by saying he would have dived into a lake to try and rescue a drowning boy.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Sep 2007, 07:45 BST

Updated 24th Sep 2007, 10:26 BST

The Brightside MP was speaking in response to allegations that a pair of police community support officers did not try to save 10-year-old Jordon Lyon - who drowned in a pond near his home in Wigan, Greater Manchester - because they had not received the right training.

Jordon was trying to rescue his eight-year-old step-sister Bethany. She was pulled to safety by two fishermen, but when they turned back he had disappeared.

However in what appeared to be a sideswipe at Mr Blunkett, Police Minister Tony McNulty hit out at "irresponsible" criticism.

He said that the PCSOs had had to make a "finely balanced" judgment between going into the water to try to save Jordon Lyon or summoning further help.

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