Cook: regrets "distress" of media attention on his family

"This is a statement none of us would wish to make..."

Robin Cook Leaves Wife for Secretary

A spokesman for Tony Blair indicated that the Prime Minister saw no reason for Mr Cook to resign.

Mr Cook is leaving his wife Margaret for Gaynor Regan.

In a statement, he said: "I can confirm that I am leaving my wife. I want to make it clear that the responsibility for this is entirely mine. Margaret and I now hope to restructure our lives. Throughout my political career I have tried to keep my family out of the public eye. I deeply regret that this will cause such distress to them. I will have no further statement to make on this matter and those involved have no wish to make any comment. I accept that I am a public figure but I would ask for the privacy of those involved to be respected at a very painful time."

Prime Minister Expresses Sympathy

A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "The Prime Minister is very sorry for Robin and Margaret and he feels for all concerned. He sees this as a personal tragedy for those involved which does not affect Robin Cook's capability as a truly outstanding Foreign Secretary. While in an ideal world, all marriages would be lasting, the truth is that these situations do arise and he hopes that Robin and Margaret can be left to rebuild their lives."

The News of the World said Mr Cook discussed the matter with wife Margaret to whom he has been married for 28 years, on Friday at their Edinburgh home.

Ms Regan, 41, had been his aide for five years and separated from her husband, Stephen, three years ago, the paper said.

Mr Cook and Ms Regan had been seeing each other for more than a year, the paper said. The relationship was brought to its attention by two freelance photographers who saw the pair sharing what appeared to be a domestic life together at his London flat in Victoria, it added.

The paper said officials had stressed there was no security risk, as Ms Regan had worked with Mr Cook for five years.