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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Smith 'sorry' for expenses claim | Smith 'sorry' for expenses claim |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Home Secretary is to pay back parliamentary allowances claimed for pay-per-view television services, reportedly including two adult films. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The Home Secretary is already under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her use of the second homes allowance. |
| 'Ear-bashing' | '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. | 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. | 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. |
| All money claimed for the television package will be paid back in full Jacqui Smith What can MPs claim for? | |
| Mr O'Donoghue said he was told Ms Smith had given her husband, who is also her parliamentary assistant, a "real ear-bashing". | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | The films were viewed at her constituency home in Redditch, Worcestershire. |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Jacqui Smith is doing an outstanding job as Home Secretary... what I know is that the system has to be much, much clearer than it was in the past. | |
| "That's the purpose of the reforms that are being put into place. | |
| "The system has to be clear, above all in the interests of the public, so they can have trust and confidence." | |
| Jacqui Smith said in a statement: "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. | "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." | "All money claimed for the television package will be paid back in full." |
| Last month Ms Smith was criticised for claiming taxpayer-funded allowances for a second home while living with her sister. | |
| But she insisted she had "fully abided" by the rules because she had designated her sibling's house as her "main" residence. | |
| That allowed her to claim payments on the Redditch constituency home she shares with her husband and children. |