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Smith 'sorry' for expenses claim | Smith 'sorry' for expenses claim |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Home Secretary is to pay back parliamentary allowances claimed for pay-per-view television services, reportedly including two adult films. | |
Jacqui Smith said she "mistakenly" claimed for the TV package while billing for an internet connection. | |
The Sunday Express claims the £67 Virgin Media bill included two 18-rated features viewed last April. | |
Ms Smith was not home when the films were viewed, sources told the BBC. She lives with her husband, Richard Timney. | |
The Home Secretary is already under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her use of the second homes allowance. | |
'Ear-bashing' | |
BBC political correspondent, Gary O'Donoghue, said a source told him Ms Smith was "livid and shocked" when she found out about the two adult films. | |
He said he was told Ms Smith had not been at home when they were viewed and said she had no intention of resigning over the matter. | |
Mr O'Donoghue said he was told Ms Smith had given her husband, who is also her parliamentary assistant, a "real ear-bashing". | |
The bill was submitted last June as part of Ms Smith's expenses, the Sunday Express reported. | |
The two films, which cost £5 each, were viewed on 6 and 8 April 2008. | |
It was also said to include two viewings of the film Ocean's 13 - at £3.75 each - and an additional £3.50 to watch the film Surf's Up. | |
The films were viewed at her constituency home in Redditch, Worcestershire. | |
Jacqui Smith said in a statement to the newspaper: "I'm sorry that in claiming for my internet connection, I mistakenly claimed for a television package alongside it. | |
"As soon as the matter was brought to my attention, I took immediate steps to contact the relevant parliamentary authorities and rectify the situation. | |
"All money claimed for the television package will be paid back in full." |