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Brown defends Smith over film row Brown backs Smith in expenses row
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's use of Commons expenses for two adult films watched by her husband should be a "personal matter". Gordon Brown has offered his support for Home Secretary Jacqui Smith as she continues to come under pressure over her use of parliamentary expenses.
He said the matter should not "detract" from her "great" work but stressed he would like a review of MPs' allowances to be concluded as quickly as possible. It has emerged she "mistakenly" claimed for two adult films watched by her husband, as part of her allowances.
Ms Smith has said she "mistakenly" made the claims when billing the authorities for her second homes costs. Mr Brown said this was a "personal matter", which ought not to "detract" from her "great" work.
The Tories said it was "embarrassing" but not a resignation issue on its own. Figures for MPs' allowances published on Monday showed that she claimed £157,631 in total in 2007/08.
Ms Smith has said she "mistakenly" claimed £10 for the two films, which her husband Richard Timney watched in April 2008, when billing the authorities for her second homes costs.
She is already being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over her decision to charge at least £116,000 in second-home allowances for her constituency housee in Redditch, Worcestershire.
'Disrepute'
The Tories said the expenses claim for the films was "embarrassing" but not a resignation issue on its own.
Despite Mr Brown's backing for her, Labour backbencher Paul Flynn said the home secretary should step down, as her authority had been "badly damaged".Despite Mr Brown's backing for her, Labour backbencher Paul Flynn said the home secretary should step down, as her authority had been "badly damaged".
Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland said both Ms Smith and work minister Tony McNulty should resign for "bringing Parliament and the government into disrepute". Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland said both Ms Smith and work minister Tony McNulty should resign for "bringing Parliament and the government into disrepute".
'Mortified' I think the best thing is that Jacqui Smith gets on with her work, which is what she wants to do Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7840678.stm"> Q&A: Smith and MPs' expenses class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6285&edition=1&ttl=20090330094732"> Send us your comments
Figures for MP's expenses published on Monday showed that she claimed £22,948 in 2007/08 in second home expenses, figures show. Ms Smith did not see the films, which were watched by her husband at the family home in Redditch, but was said to be "mortified" by the error.
Ms Smith did not see the films, which were watched by her husband Richard Timney at the family home in Redditch, Worcestershire, but was said to be "mortified" by the error. The home secretary said she had claimed for a TV package when billing for a web connection under her second homes allowance and would repay the money.
The home secretary said she had claimed for a TV package when billing for a web connection under her second homes allowance and would repay the cash. MPs can claim for subscription television services but they have to be used wholly, exclusively and necessarily to perform their duties.
Mr Brown told a Downing Street press conference: "This is very much a personal matter for Jacqui.Mr Brown told a Downing Street press conference: "This is very much a personal matter for Jacqui.
"She has made her apology. Her husband has made it clear that he has apologised."She has made her apology. Her husband has made it clear that he has apologised.
"I think the best thing is that Jacqui Smith gets on with her work, which is what she wants to do.""I think the best thing is that Jacqui Smith gets on with her work, which is what she wants to do."
I think the best thing is that Jacqui Smith gets on with her work, which is what she wants to do Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7840678.stm"> Q&A: Smith and MPs' expenses class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6285&edition=1&ttl=20090330094732"> Send us your comments Husband's salary
He added: "The home secretary is doing a great job and in no way should this issue be allowed to detract from everything she is doing for the public in making our neighbourhoods safer."He added: "The home secretary is doing a great job and in no way should this issue be allowed to detract from everything she is doing for the public in making our neighbourhoods safer."
But Mr Cameron said there had to be "complete transparency" in the way MPs' expenses were handled.
He told the BBC he had told his MPs: "If you can't defend what you are doing, don't do it. We've got to get public opinion with us."
Ms Smith uses her allowances to employ Mr Timney as her parliamentary aide in a role which can carry a salary of £40,000 - although her office said he was paid "much closer to" the £20,000 end of the range.Ms Smith uses her allowances to employ Mr Timney as her parliamentary aide in a role which can carry a salary of £40,000 - although her office said he was paid "much closer to" the £20,000 end of the range.
She is already being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over her decision to claim at least £116,000 in second-home allowances for her constituency home in Redditch.
'Something wrong'
She says she did nothing wrong as she had approval to say her main home was her sister's house in South London, which she shares.She says she did nothing wrong as she had approval to say her main home was her sister's house in South London, which she shares.
Mr Cameron said: "I think she has got some questions to answer about the second home issue. It does seem to me pretty incredible to claim that the home where her family is, that is not her main home." Conservative leader David Cameron said: "I think she has got some questions to answer about the second home issue. It does seem to me pretty incredible to claim that the home where her family is, that is not her main home."
"I think this goes to a deeper problem which is the second home allowance for MPs. The prime minister has ordered a review but he has sort of kicked it into the long grass," he added."I think this goes to a deeper problem which is the second home allowance for MPs. The prime minister has ordered a review but he has sort of kicked it into the long grass," he added.
"The review doesn't start until September, it is not going to report until after the next election. That is hopeless. We have got to get on with it.""The review doesn't start until September, it is not going to report until after the next election. That is hopeless. We have got to get on with it."
Gordon Brown defends Jacqui SmithGordon Brown defends Jacqui Smith
He said there was "something wrong with the culture of the system", shown by the fact that the expenses claim which included the adult movies had been approved.He said there was "something wrong with the culture of the system", shown by the fact that the expenses claim which included the adult movies had been approved.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said MPs should face expenses "spot checks" and complete item-by-item receipts.Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said MPs should face expenses "spot checks" and complete item-by-item receipts.
He told the BBC: "The system needs to be looked at top to toe... The whole of the Westminster village is in the last chance saloon.He told the BBC: "The system needs to be looked at top to toe... The whole of the Westminster village is in the last chance saloon.
"We have a common interest in sorting this out quickly.""We have a common interest in sorting this out quickly."
'Serious trouble'
Labour MP Paul Flynn said Ms Smith should step down.Labour MP Paul Flynn said Ms Smith should step down.
"Her reputation is in serious trouble and her authority is badly damaged and I think she should herself look at her position," he told BBC Radio Wales."Her reputation is in serious trouble and her authority is badly damaged and I think she should herself look at her position," he told BBC Radio Wales.
He added: "I don't see much point in her continuing in high office now."He added: "I don't see much point in her continuing in high office now."
But fellow Labour MP Keith Vaz said Mr Flynn was an isolated voice and the expenses row had nothing to do with Ms Smith's ministerial responsibilities.
"I think she is doing a very good job as home secretary," he told the BBC's World at One programme.
Mr Timney has apologised for embarrassing his wife.
MPs can claim for subscription television services but they have to be used wholly, exclusively and necessarily to perform their duties.
The Sunday Express reported that two films, which cost £5 each, were viewed on 6 and 8 April 2008 at Ms Smith's constituency home.
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.
'Immediate steps''Immediate steps'
Ms Smith said in a statement: "I'm sorry that, in claiming for my internet connection, I mistakenly claimed for a television package alongside it.Ms 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."
Mr Timney has apologised for embarrassing his wife.
The latest House of Commons figures, released on Monday, show Ms Smith claimed £22,948 in second home allowances in 2007/08 - just under the £23,083 limit.The latest House of Commons figures, released on Monday, show Ms Smith claimed £22,948 in second home allowances in 2007/08 - just under the £23,083 limit.
The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life has previously announced a wide-ranging review of MPs' pay and allowances, which is due to start later this year.The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life has previously announced a wide-ranging review of MPs' pay and allowances, which is due to start later this year.
The prime minister said he had written to the committee on Monday to ask it to look into a number of "specific issues" and to urge it to report as soon as possible.The prime minister said he had written to the committee on Monday to ask it to look into a number of "specific issues" and to urge it to report as soon as possible.
"Public scrutiny of members of Parliament is a necessary element of our democracy," he said."Public scrutiny of members of Parliament is a necessary element of our democracy," he said.
"I believe we are doing everything in our power to make sure we bring what is a better system than the one we inherited for the years to come.""I believe we are doing everything in our power to make sure we bring what is a better system than the one we inherited for the years to come."