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| Smith's husband sorry over films | Smith's husband sorry over films |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| The Home Secretary's husband has said sorry for embarrassing his wife after two adult films were viewed at their home, then claimed for on expenses. | |
| Richard Timney, who is also Jacqui Smith's parliamentary assistant, said he understood why people were so angry. | Richard Timney, who is also Jacqui Smith's parliamentary assistant, said he understood why people were so angry. |
| Ms Smith said she "mistakenly" claimed for the TV package while billing for a web connection and will repay the cash. | |
| Downing Street said she had done the "right thing" by quickly rectifying the "inadvertent mistake". | |
| 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' |
| Mr Timney said outside the couple's home in Redditch, Worcestershire: "I'm really sorry for any embarrassment I have caused Jacqui. | |
| "I can fully understand why people might be angry and offended by this. Quite obviously a claim should never have been made for these films, and as you know that money is being paid back." | |
| 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 a "real ear-bashing". | Mr O'Donoghue said he was told Ms Smith had given her husband a "real ear-bashing". |
| 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. |
| The claim 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. | |
| A Downing Street spokesman said Ms Smith 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. He has said he did not break any rules. | 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. |