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Smith urged to stand down as MP Smith to 'focus on constituents'
(about 8 hours later)
Calls have been made for Jacqui Smith to stand down as the MP for her Worcestershire seat. Outgoing home secretary Jacqui Smith says she is standing down to focus on her constituents and to repay the support her family has given her.
The Jacqui Must Go Now! campaign group's demand follows Tuesday's news that she is to leave her position as home secretary in a cabinet reshuffle. She said she has been able to do the job because of her family's support and they have come under a lot of pressure in the row over her expenses.
A source said she was stepping down for her family, who had been "at the forefront" of a row over her expenses. The MP for Redditch, Worcestershire, will step down in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle, sources have said.
Ms Smith, who hopes to remain as MP for Redditch, was criticised for naming her sister's London house as her main home. She was criticised for naming her sister's London house as her main home.
She also faced criticism over her husband's claim for an adult movie. Speaking to BBC News, Ms Smith said her family had played an important role in her years as a minister.
It is understood Ms Smith intends to defend her seat at the next election. I felt that it was the right thing to do for me, for them and for my constituency to focus now back on to my constituents in Redditch which is the reason why I am in this job in the first place. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith
"I spoke to the prime minister about the fact that I've been a minister for nearly 10 years now," she said.
"During that time I've been able to do the job, I hope, to the best of my abilities because of the support that has been provided to me by my family."
Ms Smith, the first female home secretary, was criticised over her husband's claim for an adult movie.
She added that stepping down was the right thing to do for her family.
"I felt that it was the right thing to do for me, for them and for my constituency, to focus now back on to my constituents in Redditch which is the reason why I am in this job in the first place."
It is understood Ms Smith, 46, intends to defend her seat at the next election.
Scott Preston, from the Jacqui Must Go Now! campaign, said people in Redditch did not want her any more.Scott Preston, from the Jacqui Must Go Now! campaign, said people in Redditch did not want her any more.