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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, Home Secretary What can MPs claim for? | All money claimed for the television package will be paid back in full Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary 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. |
A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Smith had done the "right thing" by quickly rectifying her "inadvertent mistake". | A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Smith had done the "right thing" by quickly rectifying her "inadvertent mistake". |
A spokesman said she was doing a great job as home secretary and would not let the expenses issue detract from her determination to protect the public. | A spokesman said she was doing a great job as home secretary and would not let the expenses issue detract from her determination to protect the public. |
The Committee on Standards in Public Life has announced a wide-ranging review of MPs' pay and allowances, starting later this year. | The Committee on Standards in Public Life has announced a wide-ranging review of MPs' pay and allowances, starting later this year. |
It came after Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote to the committee calling for a full review into "outside interests" and second jobs. | It came after Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote to the committee calling for a full review into "outside interests" and second jobs. |
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. | 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. |
Miliband on Smith expenses | Miliband on Smith expenses |
"That's the purpose of the reforms that are being put into place. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | That allowed her to claim payments on the Redditch constituency home she shares with her husband and children. |
She says it's all within the rules, which I'm sure is right... but the reality is it's not within the spirit of the rules Mark Field, Conservative MP | She says it's all within the rules, which I'm sure is right... but the reality is it's not within the spirit of the rules Mark Field, Conservative MP |
Conservative MP Mark Field told the BBC: "I'm obviously glad Jacqui Smith has decided to act quickly and repay, I'd also like her to act as quickly and repay the second home allowances that she's also taken. | Conservative MP Mark Field told the BBC: "I'm obviously glad Jacqui Smith has decided to act quickly and repay, I'd also like her to act as quickly and repay the second home allowances that she's also taken. |
"She says it's all within the rules, which I'm sure is right... but the reality is it's not within the spirit of the rules. | "She says it's all within the rules, which I'm sure is right... but the reality is it's not within the spirit of the rules. |
"If she doesn't recognise that I think she's really a bit too stupid to be Home Secretary." | "If she doesn't recognise that I think she's really a bit too stupid to be Home Secretary." |
He added there were a number of Tory MPs also abusing the system, which he said undermined parliament's reputation. | He added there were a number of Tory MPs also abusing the system, which he said undermined parliament's reputation. |
Meanwhile, parliament's standards commissioner John Lyon is investigating a complaint about Labour minister Tony McNulty's second home expenses. | Meanwhile, parliament's standards commissioner John Lyon is investigating a complaint about Labour minister Tony McNulty's second home expenses. |
The work minister has claimed £60,000 since 2002 for the house in his Harrow constituency - 11 miles from the Commons - where his parents live. | The work minister has claimed £60,000 since 2002 for the house in his Harrow constituency - 11 miles from the Commons - where his parents live. |
He has said he did not break any rules. | He has said he did not break any rules. |
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