Smith is doing a great job, says PM

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As she left her London residence on Monday morning, the beleaguered minister declined to respond to reporters' questions about the films - watched by husband Richard Timney at their family home in Redditch, Worcestershire, while she was away.

Amid mounting speculation that the incident could cost Ms Smith her Government post, Conservative leader David Cameron described the latest revelations as "deeply embarrassing" for the Home Secretary, but stopped short of calling for her resignation.

Mr Brown offered his support, insisting that she was doing "a great job" and had "done the right thing" by paying the money back.

The Prime Minister was asked at a press conference in 10 Downing Street whether he still had confidence in Ms Smith, who is already under investigation for claiming second home expenses on her family house in her Redditch constituency while living as a lodger with her sister in London.

Mr Brown said: "The Home Secretary is doing a great job and I do not think this issue should be allowed to detract from everything she is doing to ensure we protect the public and keep our neighbourhoods safe. She has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify the mistake that was made as soon as she became aware of it."

Mr Brown continued: "This is very much a personal matter for Jacqui. She has made her apology, her husband has made clear that he has apologised. The best thing is that Jacqui Smith gets on with her work, which is what she wants to do."

Mr Cameron called on Mr Brown to speed up a review of MPs' pay and allowances announced last week, accusing the PM of kicking the issue "into the long grass".

Speaking on GMTV, the Conservative leader said he believed Ms Smith had "questions to answer" about her reported claim of at least £116,000 in second home allowances on her Redditch family home while listing a London flat she shares with her sister as her main home.

That claim is already under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon.