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Home Secretary Smith to step down Home Secretary Smith to step down
(40 minutes later)
Jacqui Smith is to stand down as home secretary in the cabinet reshuffle, sources close to her have told the BBC.Jacqui Smith is to stand down as home secretary in the cabinet reshuffle, sources close to her have told the BBC.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to shake up his cabinet after Thursday's European and English local elections.Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to shake up his cabinet after Thursday's European and English local elections.
The source said she was stepping down for her family, who had been "at the forefront" of a row over her expenses.The source said she was stepping down for her family, who had been "at the forefront" of a row over her expenses.
Ms Smith, who wants to remain an MP, was criticised for listing her sister's London house as her main home - and her husband's claim for an adult movie.Ms Smith, who wants to remain an MP, was criticised for listing her sister's London house as her main home - and her husband's claim for an adult movie.
It is understood Ms Smith, the first woman home secretary, intends to defend her Redditch seat at the next election.It is understood Ms Smith, the first woman home secretary, intends to defend her Redditch seat at the next election.
It comes as Labour backbencher Ian Gibson is told he cannot stand again for the party over his expenses claims and three other MPs announce their intention to stand down at the next general election.It comes as Labour backbencher Ian Gibson is told he cannot stand again for the party over his expenses claims and three other MPs announce their intention to stand down at the next general election.
And Cabinet Office minister Tom Watson, a close ally of Mr Brown, is expected to stand down from the government in the reshuffle - expected in the next week. Cabinet Office minister Tom Watson, a close ally of Mr Brown, is also expected to stand down from the government in the reshuffle - expected in the next week.
Mr Brown confirmed to the BBC he is planning a reshuffle but refused to be drawn on individual ministers' roles. Mr Brown confirmed to the BBC he is planning a reshuffle but refused to be drawn on individual ministers' roles, amid speculation that Chancellor Alistair Darling, whose expenses have also been questioned, may also be moved.
Leak inquiry
There has been much speculation that Chancellor Alistair Darling, whose expenses have also been questioned, may also be moved.
The BBC understands that Ms Smith, 46, told Mr Brown during the Easter recess that she wanted to step down as home secretary.The BBC understands that Ms Smith, 46, told Mr Brown during the Easter recess that she wanted to step down as home secretary.
If any mistakes have been made and if they were exposed, then people will have to accept the consequences Gordon Brown Hoon sorry for expenses 'error' Assessing Home Secretary SmithIf any mistakes have been made and if they were exposed, then people will have to accept the consequences Gordon Brown Hoon sorry for expenses 'error' Assessing Home Secretary Smith
A source close to Ms Smith said she was quitting her cabinet job because it was the "right thing for her family".A source close to Ms Smith said she was quitting her cabinet job because it was the "right thing for her family".
The source told the BBC that the row had put pressure on her school-age children and her parents and while she regretted wrongly submitting a claim for the adult movie, she felt "vindicated" in her overall approach to claims, now those of other MPs had been published. The source told the BBC that the row had put pressure on her children and her parents and while she regretted wrongly submitting a claim for the adult movie, she felt "vindicated" in her overall approach to claims, now those of other MPs had been published.
She made no mention of her plans while moving the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill in the Commons on Tuesday afternoon but received several "hear hears" as she stood up.She made no mention of her plans while moving the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill in the Commons on Tuesday afternoon but received several "hear hears" as she stood up.
Expenses rowExpenses row
But her opposite number Chris Grayling suggested it was her "final appearance" as home secretary and said she had "pre-announced the reshuffle". He went on to congratulate her "for her achievement being Britain's first woman home secretary". But her opposite number Chris Grayling suggested it was her "final appearance" as home secretary and said she had "pre-announced the reshuffle".
Jacqui Smith may, I was told, have claimed for 'a kitchen sink' but, unlike many of her colleagues, she didn't 'claim for the whole kitchen' Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in fullJacqui Smith may, I was told, have claimed for 'a kitchen sink' but, unlike many of her colleagues, she didn't 'claim for the whole kitchen' Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in full
She was promoted to the job when Mr Brown became prime minister in 2007 and initially won plaudits for her handling of the car bomb attack on Glasgow Airport.She was promoted to the job when Mr Brown became prime minister in 2007 and initially won plaudits for her handling of the car bomb attack on Glasgow Airport.
But she has since come under pressure over issues - including attempts to extend pre-charge detention limits for terrorist suspects and the Home Office leaks inquiry that led to the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green.But she has since come under pressure over issues - including attempts to extend pre-charge detention limits for terrorist suspects and the Home Office leaks inquiry that led to the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green.
Weeks before the Daily Telegraph began its revelations about MPs' expenses, Ms Smith's own claims came under question.Weeks before the Daily Telegraph began its revelations about MPs' expenses, Ms Smith's own claims came under question.
She had designated her sister's home, where she stays when she is in London, as her main home - rather than her constituency home where her family live.She had designated her sister's home, where she stays when she is in London, as her main home - rather than her constituency home where her family live.
Later she agreed to pay back allowances claimed for pay-per-view television services, which included two adult films apparently watched by her husband.Later she agreed to pay back allowances claimed for pay-per-view television services, which included two adult films apparently watched by her husband.
What I think is amazing is the total collapse of management of government Ben Wallace Conservative MP Campaigners target home secretary Nationalist bid to force election Hewitt and Hughes stepping down For a government to lose both the chancellor of the exchequer and the home secretary, two of the top four people, in one reshuffle does suggest that the real problem isn't the top four, it's the person right at the top Chris Huhne Campaigners target home secretary Nationalist bid to force election Hewitt and Hughes stepping down
Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman, interviewed on BBC Radio 4's World at One, said she could not confirm the "speculation" about Ms Smith.Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman, interviewed on BBC Radio 4's World at One, said she could not confirm the "speculation" about Ms Smith.
But she added: "I think she is an outstanding home secretary. And yes there has been controversy around her expenses and she's not alone in that.But she added: "I think she is an outstanding home secretary. And yes there has been controversy around her expenses and she's not alone in that.
"On any side of the House there's been controversy but I don't think she's ever wavered from her commitment to her job as home secretary.""On any side of the House there's been controversy but I don't think she's ever wavered from her commitment to her job as home secretary."
Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, said it was "extraordinary" that leaks suggested Alistair Darling was also "on the way out".Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, said it was "extraordinary" that leaks suggested Alistair Darling was also "on the way out".
He said: "For a government to lose both the chancellor of the exchequer and the home secretary, two of the top four people, in one reshuffle does suggest that the real problem isn't the top four, it's the person right at the top, it's the prime minister."He said: "For a government to lose both the chancellor of the exchequer and the home secretary, two of the top four people, in one reshuffle does suggest that the real problem isn't the top four, it's the person right at the top, it's the prime minister."
Hewitt and HughesHewitt and Hughes
Chancellor Alistair Darling and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon have also found their expenses claims questioned. They apologised on Monday and pay back some money claimed on their second homes. Mr Darling and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon have also found their expenses claims questioned and have paid back some money claimed on their second homes.
Both involved bills that had been paid in advance and covered a period when the properties were no longer their designated "second homes".
Earlier BBC's political editor Nick Robinson asked the prime minister if both should remain in the cabinet. Mr Brown said so far people only had "the newspapers' version" of much of what had been claimed.Earlier BBC's political editor Nick Robinson asked the prime minister if both should remain in the cabinet. Mr Brown said so far people only had "the newspapers' version" of much of what had been claimed.
MPS LEAVING PARLIAMENT The following MPs have said in the past three weeks that they will not contest the next electionConservative: Andrew MacKay, Julie Kirkbride, Douglas Hogg, Sir Peter Viggers, Anthony Steen, Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton, Christopher FraserLabour: Margaret Moran, Ben Chapman, David Chaytor, Ian McCartney, John Smith, Patricia Hewitt, Beverley Hughes, Michael Martin (Speaker) Hewitt to stand down as MPMPS LEAVING PARLIAMENT The following MPs have said in the past three weeks that they will not contest the next electionConservative: Andrew MacKay, Julie Kirkbride, Douglas Hogg, Sir Peter Viggers, Anthony Steen, Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton, Christopher FraserLabour: Margaret Moran, Ben Chapman, David Chaytor, Ian McCartney, John Smith, Patricia Hewitt, Beverley Hughes, Michael Martin (Speaker) Hewitt to stand down as MP
"We're doing a far more extensive examination of what's happened with expenses and everything else. If there's a reshuffle, that's a matter for me about people's competences, ministers as well. "We're doing a far more extensive examination of what's happened with expenses and everything else. If there's a reshuffle, that's a matter for me about people's competences, ministers as well," he said.
"Every MP, including Conservatives and Liberals and all that, are now going to be independently audited and investigated - if any mistakes have been made and if they were exposed - then people will have to accept the consequences". "If any mistakes have been made and if they were exposed - then people will have to accept the consequences".
Asked whether resignations had been discussed at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Mr Darling said the government was focused on reforming the expenses system and helping people through the economic downturn.
'Normal process'
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has also faced widespread speculation that she will be axed as a result of controversy over her second home claims.Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has also faced widespread speculation that she will be axed as a result of controversy over her second home claims.
Meanwhile Bury North Labour MP David Chaytor, who is accused of claiming for a mortgage that was already paid off, has announced that he will not stand at the next election. Bury North Labour MP David Chaytor, who is accused of claiming for a mortgage that was already paid off, said that he would not stand at the next election.
Also on Tuesday, former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she would stand down as an MP at the next election, but said it had nothing to do with the expenses furore. Also on Tuesday, former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and children's minister Beverley Hughes announced they would stand down at the next election, but said it had nothing to do with the expenses furore.
Shortly afterwards children's minister Beverley Hughes became the latest to announce she would stand down, in her case due to "family circumstances". Ms Harman said Ms Hughes and Ms Hewitt were going due to family reasons and rejected suggestions that the "wheels are falling off" the government.
Conservative MP Ben Wallace, who reported Ms Smith to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over her expenses, told the BBC it appeared some people were "jumping ship without even informing the prime minister".
But Ms Harman said Ms Hughes and Ms Hewitt were going due to family reasons and rejected suggestions that the "wheels are falling off" the government.
"You can't necessarily control the information agenda but it does not mean that this is anything other than a normal process," she said.