DAVID BLUNKETT has dismissed claims that he told a prisons chief to machine gun rioting inmates as a "silly storm."

But during a whirlwind trip to York yesterday, the former Home Secretary did not deny allegations that he had "shrieked" to former prison boss Martin Narey that he did not care about lives.

The row erupted following comments by the former director general of the Prison Service after the publication of Mr Blunkett's diaries, which he was in York to promote.

The allegations relate to a riot at Lincoln prison in 2002 when inmates seized control of the jail.

Mr Blunkett said: "I really do not want to get into a spat with Martin Narey. The events that led to the prisoners taking over Lincoln jail are well documented.

"They are laid out in my book and I do not want to add to the rather silly storm that is taking place around this."

Mr Blunkett visited a ceremony for the National Community Champions Awards held at the Park Inn, in North Street. As Home Secretary, he set up the scheme to recognise inspirational community figures.

Later, he signed copies of his new book The Blunkett Tapes at Waterstones, in High Ousegate.