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Smith faces questions over future Smith faces questions over future
(about 1 hour later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is facing fresh questions over her future after "mistakenly" claiming the cost of two adult movies on Commons expenses.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is facing fresh questions over her future after "mistakenly" claiming the cost of two adult movies on Commons expenses.
Opposition backbenchers say the matter has undermined the credibility of Ms Smith, who did not see the films but is said to be "mortified" by the error. Tory leader David Cameron said it was "hugely embarrassing for her and the government" but said he thought it was not a resignation issue on its own.
The films were watched by her husband, Richard Timney, who has apologised. However such revelations were "dragging everyone down into the mire".
Ms Smith is already under scrutiny for claiming second-home allowances for her constituency home in Redditch, Worcs. Ms Smith did not see the films, which were watched by her husband, but was said to be "mortified" by the error.
'Expenses sleaze' 'Deeply embarrassing'
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti says Ms Smith will have to deal with the political fallout after the embarrassment of Sunday's revelations. Mr Cameron said there had to be "complete transparency" in the way MPs' expenses were handled.
The Opposition leadership has so far held back from criticising ministers too strongly on expenses, aware that there are potential embarrassments on both sides, our correspondent says. 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 her husband, Richard Timney, as her parliamentary aide on a salary of up to £40,000 a year.
Sympathy for her will be even less than it otherwise would have been because she is not that good at her job David DavisFormer shadow home secretary What expenses can MPs claim? Sympathy for her will be even less than it otherwise would have been because she is not that good at her job David DavisFormer shadow home secretary What expenses can MPs claim?
But while the government is acutely aware of the damage the incident is doing, Labour sources have suggested there could be a Tory mole at work in the Commons office that processes expenses - and even a dossier listing damaging details of other MPs' claims, our correspondent adds. And Ms Smith 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 family home in her constituency in Redditch, Worcs, since becoming an MP.
She says she did nothing wrong over her second home claims as she had approval to say her main home was her sister's house in South London where she rents a room.
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."
'Credibility in tatters'
"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."
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.
Former shadow home secretary David Davis said there would be little sympathy for Ms Smith.Former shadow home secretary David Davis said there would be little sympathy for Ms Smith.
He said: "I don't call for people to go unless I think there is absolutely a smoking gun, but I just do think in this circumstance the sympathy for her will be even less than it otherwise would have been because she is not that good at her job."He said: "I don't call for people to go unless I think there is absolutely a smoking gun, but I just do think in this circumstance the sympathy for her will be even less than it otherwise would have been because she is not that good at her job."
Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik said Ms Smith had been "compromised" by her husband, but acknowledged that the expenses system needed a complete overhaul.
"We are allowed to claim for telecommunications and it is vital for work," he said.
Jacqui Smith was reportedly "livid and shocked"
"I think what's made this interesting is because there were adult films, everyone can have a good laugh about that.
"But the serious bottom-line point here is that it's got ludicrous and we have to actually shake down the entire expenses system."
Angus Robertson, the Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster, said Ms Smith's credibility had been undermined claiming "the on-going allegations of expenses irregularities have left the home secretary's credibility in tatters and present real questions over her future as a senior minister".Angus Robertson, the Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster, said Ms Smith's credibility had been undermined claiming "the on-going allegations of expenses irregularities have left the home secretary's credibility in tatters and present real questions over her future as a senior minister".
However, Labour MP Stephen Pound said that although the matter was "excruciatingly embarrassing" for Ms Smith, her future was not in question.However, Labour MP Stephen Pound said that although the matter was "excruciatingly embarrassing" for Ms Smith, her future was not in question.
"Nobody's responsible for what their partners do to that extent but it will be embarrassing. I don't think it will be fatal because she's really not done anything wrong," he said."Nobody's responsible for what their partners do to that extent but it will be embarrassing. I don't think it will be fatal because she's really not done anything wrong," he said.
Public apologyPublic apology
Mr Timney, who is also Ms Smith's parliamentary aide, made a public statement on Sunday in which he apologised for embarrassing his wife. Mr Timney made a public statement on Sunday in which he apologised for embarrassing his wife.
Ms Smith said she had "mistakenly" claimed for a TV package when billing for a web connection and would repay the cash.Ms Smith said she had "mistakenly" claimed for a TV package when billing for a web connection 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.MPs can claim for subscription television services but they have to be used wholly, exclusively and necessarily to perform their duties.
Jacqui Smith has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify this inadvertent mistake as soon as she became aware of it Downing Street spokesmanJacqui Smith has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify this inadvertent mistake as soon as she became aware of it Downing Street spokesman
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 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.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.
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."
Expenses review
Downing Street said on Sunday that Ms Smith was doing a "great" job and would not let the incident distract her from her role as home secretary.Downing Street said on Sunday that Ms Smith was doing a "great" job and would not let the incident distract her from her role as home secretary.
A spokesman said: "Jacqui Smith has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify this inadvertent mistake as soon as she became aware of it."A spokesman said: "Jacqui Smith has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify this inadvertent mistake as soon as she became aware of it."
Ms Smith is already under investigation by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon after she claimed second-home allowances for the property in Redditch.
She insists she "fully abided" by the rules because she had designated a London flat she shares with her sister as her principal home.
The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life has previously announced a wide-ranging review of MPs' pay and allowances, 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, due to start later this year.