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Porn film expenses: Let Smith get back to work says Brown
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor30 Mar 2009
GORDON BROWN tried to defuse the row over Jacqui Smith's future today by saying her expense claims for two porn movies were "a personal matter".
The Prime Minister pleaded for the Home Secretary to be allowed to get on with her job following the disclosure that her husband used taxpayer-funded allowances to pay for adult TV films.
But the prospect of Ms Smith being demoted in a summer Cabinet reshuffle drew closer amid claims that she was "one more blunder away from the sack". As Conservative leader David Cameron called for a review into Parliamentary expenses, Health Secretary Alan Johnson was being tipped as a possible replacement at the Home Office.
MPs faced fresh embarrassment as the Commons prepared to publish the latest figures for 2007/8 expenses.
Ms Smith sparked speculation of a dressing down from Mr Brown as she walked up Downing Street today. But government sources stressed she was there for a welcome for the Mexican president before the G20 summit.
As she left her sister's south London home this morning, the beleaguered minister declined to respond to reporters' questions about the pornographic films her husband Richard Timney watched at their family home in Redditch, Worcestershire, while she was away.
Mr Brown offered his support at a Downing Street press conference today, insisting she had "done the right thing" by paying the money back.
The Prime Minister was asked whether he still had confidence in Ms Smith, who is under investigation for claiming second home expenses on her constituency house while living as a lodger with her sister.
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 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."
No10 rebuffed calls for Mr Brown to demand a swifter review into MPs' expenses. An inquiry by the Committee on Standards in Public Life is due to start this autumn, but the Prime Minister's spokesman insisted the "timing and remit" of the investigation was purely a matter for the watchdog.
Mr Cameron said the review had to be brought forward to "disinfect" Parliament from accusations of sleaze. He said Mr Brown should implement the Conservatives' system of forcing the party's MPs to be transparent about every penny they claim from the taxpayer.
"Sunlight is the best disinfectant," Mr Cameron told GMTV. "That's what needs to happen, complete transparency about these expenses. That means the public can see what MPs are claiming and it means MPs will stop claiming for things they can't defend."
He also warned that the probe into Ms Smith's second home allowance was more of a threat to her position.
"I don't think this individual thing is the issue. I think she has got some questions to answer about her second home issue. It does seem to me incredible to claim that the home with her family is not her main home. I think that's a deeper problem," he said.
Ms Smith's political authority faced being weakened in front of her critics and her colleagues today as she struggled to get on with her job effectively at the Home Office. There was intense speculation that Mr Brown will move her after June's European and local elections, which Labour is expected to lose heavily.
Labour backbencher Paul Flynn today said she should resign because her reputation was in serious trouble from the porn film expenses claims, which "badly damaged" her.
MPs are furious that the confidential receipts were leaked to a Sunday newspaper and were meeting today to decide whether to call in the police to investigate a string of recent revelations.
Reader views (135)
I do wonder if any of these 'Ministers' Jackboot, Ann Keen and the rest of the corrupt ones will be able to find a job, anywhere, after the next Election, when they all have to be put out on their ear? The majority are un-employable and what Company, in the Private Sector, could stand the embarrassment of having ANY of them as a member of Staff? No Private Company could possibly keep them in the manner to which they have acostumed themselves. No one will want to touch them with a Barge Pole. I just hope that they have to re-pay that which they have stolen from the Public, including the available equity earned from their 'Second Homes', all the money they have claimed for Food and other things that everyone needs (but cannot necessarily afford) and that they lose all rights to any Pension, other than the Basic MP's pension, which is considerably more than they deserve, but no doubt they would bring in the Human Rights Laws if that was, too, withdrawn. I am just waiting for the 'Black Haired Witch' Cherie B to start bringing in that Law to help the Blair 'Babes?' Ironic? Yes, but wholly possible.
By the way, is there a 'D' notice on anything pertaining to Ann Keen? Strange that as she and her husband kinda started the whole thing off, last year, they have been conspicious by their absence in the latest disclosures? Especially as her Sister, Sylvia, is a Deputy Speaker and has a working history with the disgraced Speaker Martin? Curioser and Curioser!
- Jenny Keane, Invergarry, Scotland, 21/05/2009 01:09
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I think i was more offended by the fact she had the cheek to claim 88p expenses on a new bath plug.
UTTER DISGRACE!!
- Steve, Medway,England, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Government corruption without pornography is like religion with hell.
- John, arizona, usa, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Anne in Paris - I can only assume that living in Paris you are out of touch with what is happening here. Smith's conduct is a disgrace. It's corruption and it needs addressing! It's not helpful for you to make this into a battle of the sexes situation. She's done wrong before - making dodgy second home claims - and she needs to be held accountable! Calling her a 'Poor woman' is ridiculous and naive!Should we have let Ronnie Biggs ogg because he was a 'poor man'?
- Mick, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Anne in Paris - you're talking nonsense. There's nothing 'poor' about this woman! She's ruthless and has trodden all over plenty of people when it's suited her.It doesn't help the serious debate concerning the corrupt behaviour of MP's when people like you try to make this serious discussion into a battle of the sexes!
- Mick, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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...forgot to add on my previous post: There is one saving grace to having Jackboot as our Home Secretary; at least she's not teaching our kids anymore!
I believe that she was an economics teacher? Little wonder the exam's have had to be dumbed down!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Do the decent thing and resign.
- Chris, Woking. UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She should be sacked, the sooner the better for us all.
- Anon, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Is Gordon Brown serious when he says claiming for 'adult' movies a private matter? The Home Secretary has submitted a claim asking this country to pay for her husband's private titillation. That is certainly not a personal matter, it goes to the core of the credibility of her as a vry senior politician supposedly responsible for representing this country, and of Labour in general.
- Peter, Liverpool, 21/05/2009 00:09
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'Jack Spratt: I presume you are joking with the ‘champagne at home’ analogy ... at best Smith could only be described a cheap ‘Asti Spumante’ ...and then only by someone who had already consumed a number of bottles..!
- Ade, London'
A really unnecessary and mysogynistic comment ADE!!!If smith is asti spumanti then i am assuming you must be warm beer, and thats only after a good curry!
- Kh, London UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Even though I was a Director of a very large company I knew full well I would have been sacked on the spot if I has claimed expenses that consisted of anything not related to my job and quite rightly so.
Why do these MP's live under a different set of rules to the rest of us?
- Adrian, Surrey, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Too right Tom, it's so NOT about the porn, it's about misuse of public money.
Every week, it's someone different, and when added up the sums of money are vast, therefore the sooner politicians expenses are overhauled the better.
- Flo, London, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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corruption this is not..
taking large sums of money to influence policy is worth worrying about - and rife in many countries. Failing to delete pay per view movies from an internet provider bill is not...
Other countries must think this is some sort of British farce - with the standard little bit of sexual innuendo...
- Martin_Clerkenwell, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She has just got to do the honourable thing
....errhh Ask all ourselves today... What do we mean by "Honourable..?" - The British Public have once again been MUGGED!! ...and just like the banks we turn the other cheque.
- A. Watkins, Southwest, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I understand his husband is on the payroll at 40 thousand a year not 20...it beggars belief she has not resigned or been forced out ,her and all the other motley crew of fraudsters...God save us,it is just out of control...
- Jean, London England, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Has anyone found out what the Movie Titles...were yet....?
- A. Watkins, Southwest, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Doesn't it strike a cord with the public that the majority of us cannot afford our own first house and MPs are able to bend the rules to afford themselves a second home within a few miles of their first? MPs are buying luxary items with taxpayers money, leaving us with nothing to spend our own money on but bills.
This shouldn't be a case completely against Jackie Smith but a deep look into the way in which our government deals with expenses and its rules. If rules are open to interpretation (as they clearly are) then MPs will continue to bend the system.
Removing the expenses and setting a standard salary will surely be a better option and satisfy the public that everything cannot be hiden to emerge at a later date!
- Jo Hastie, Newcastle, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Back to work?? She has not delivered any meaningful work for this country, ever.
- Georgie, Islington, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Well her husband has been busted here that's for sure, watching porn. OK yes, I and many others have paid for it but what a joke.
On a more serious note these are the MP's being caught with their hands in the till. Imagine a full audit of ALL MP's and civil servants, that would save this country an awesome amount of money. Probably equal to bailing out a bank.
To think we get letters from the Inland revenue over submitting your returns a bit late and a fine. This lot could pay for every man, woman and child in the country to spend two weeks in the Sun.
As to the next election, who do we vote for. The one who is not such a fat cat. What a choice.
- Simon, West Mids, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This surely cannot be the same Jacqui Smith who allowed the police to enter The House of Commans and arrest an opposition MP can it? Will she now allow the police to enter her second home and seize the downloaded films just to even matters up?
- Raymondo, Waterlooville, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Anyone believing that Miss Smith will resign is living in cloud cuckoo land , all she will do along with many other labour MP's is to continue to milk the system in readiness for their political exit for life. Although it is a serios matter I cannot help but think that as Miss Smith effectively controls the police how many uniforms have dissapeared. What would you like me to be tonight darling a constable , superintendant or perhaps a commisioner. The mind boggles.
- Robin Brittain, Wolverhampton UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Why are the MP's furious, is it because of what they have to hide. As a UK taxpayer I belive I am entitled to know what they spend their expenses on witgh money provided by the wealth producing taxpayers of the UK. NO civil service job (other than export usually arms) makes a profit for the UK, so why are these MP's being so shy?????
- Chris, Bonnes France, 21/05/2009 00:09
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A "personal matter is it"... she's no better than a benefit cheat.
- Gilbert Wood, Haywards Heath - UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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If you or I were found to be an incompetent, expense fiddling, public purse robbing, useful employee how many bosses would say, 'Let her get back to work will you'?
Exactly what a bunch of cronies.
In fact Gorgon is aiding and abetting her incompetence which tars him with the very same brush, but what am I saying - we all know that................
- Chris Williams, Cardiff, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I think the main point has been missed here, it is not what was downloaded, BUT, this woman claimed for these films knowing that she was not at home on that evening! She is going to pay the money back, WOW, does that mean that anyone caught commiting fraud can say, "Oops, sorry, I'll pay it back", the same woman who denied the police a decent payrise! And finally, clever the way, Government ministers are distracting us by making baddies out of bank officials, who probably don't claim a fraction of what MPs do.
- Stephen, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Nothing about this incident convinces me that it is purely a personal matter. Why on earth is the taxpayer paying the bill for any TV Channnels to which Jacqui Smith subscribes? Here we have a Home Secretary who appears to be wholly intent upon grabbing as much taxpayer's money as she possibly can - even down to a 88p bath plug. The whole thing stinks. The question of whether Virgin "porn" films are less graphic or sleazy than other Channels provide is not the issue. The issue is why are we paying for any of it. And also do we really want as Home Secretary, charged with ensuring the observance of law and order, someone so lax as this woman. Gordon Brown may want her to get on with the job, but I for one would prefer someone more trustworthy with some sense of standards and who does not regard the public purse as her own.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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even the banks have better control of expense claims than whoever pretends to check MP's claims. if small companies were as inefficient htey would not last long
- Jeff Harvey, bristol, 21/05/2009 00:09
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G Brown says Ms Smith is doing a great job keeping us safe from terrorists, mmm, I thought the police and security services did that. I wouldn't trust her with a downloaded film!
- Stephen, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Brown says she's doing agood job.
Either she knew about it when she handed her expenses in and is fiddling or she didn't.
If it's the first she's a thief and if it's the second she's incompetent; either way she should resign.
Obviously she won't as she clearly has no morals or ethics about her.
- Richard, Crawley, West Sussex, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I agree with Gordon. Jackie should be allowed to go back to work and get to gripps with things as they stand!
- Al, Kingstown UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The issue is theft and the hypocrisy of Ministers. Members of the public receive criminal records for shoplifting items of less value than these videos. Offering to pay the price once caught is not usually considered adequate by the criminal justice system. Her position is untenable.
- Bloke, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I trust he the police will come and take his DNA as this is an act of fraud.
- Paul, Lincoln UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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It is obvious that her minister friends will leap to her defence. There is no wonder they wanted all this kept secret, while the rest of us have to pay a mortgage and pay for our own cars, petrol and all the rest that life throws at us. This government is totally corrupt without any scruples; along with their friends in the banking system they have robbed us blind. Some pensions and many people’s houses are now on the line because they had their heads so far in the trough they never bothered to lift it to see what was happening. We knew years ago that the amount of loans being dished out by the banks to people who they knew could never afford to pay back would crash around our heads. All this talk of we never saw this coming is just plain lies. I believe Jacqui smith is just one of the many fish in the shoal who got caught but there are hundreds of the buggers still down there feeding off the rest of us.
- Stephend, London, England, 21/05/2009 00:09
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But why - "One More Blunder" away...??? What on earth do these rip-off merchants in Parliament have to do to get sacked...??? MPs, Ministers and Lords are finger-wagging their noses in contempt at the British electorate...! It's high time it stopped...!!
Forget all these mumblings about "inquiries" - they're nothing but delaying tactics. !
- Joanna Jay, Walton on Thames, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She apparently apologised saying it was "mistakenly" claimed but in another article states that her husband would have put the claim in but she has to sign it off.
This makes her either a blatant thief or incompetent or at worse both.
Thing is this isn't limited to one MP it's with all of them but unfortunately this government are so greedy and selfish they don't seem to understand the damage they are causing themselves.
- Andrew, Redditch, 21/05/2009 00:09
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WHY, WHY, WHY do the UK taxpayers have to fund a the MPs television subscription?? That should be out of their own pocket in cluding deluded Gordon who expenses a Sky football match.
Jacqui Smith and the whole gang should resign this minute.
- Claus Clausen, Guisy, France, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Did she know that he was watching it??
How embaressing, maybe you need marriage guidance!
- C Cusano, Bedford, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Was this the first and only time that the Home Secretary's husband has used the public purse for his 'adult entertainment' or have the public been paying for his films on a regular basis ?
- Doug Watt, london e14, 21/05/2009 00:09
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So the documents were stolen then, er, then so was the expenses money, If the police are to investigate the theft of the docs, then the theft of public money should also be investigated, even though paid back. Take this to its illogical conclusion, a burglar will be able to get off scott free if stolen property is returned if they are caught because 'they made a mistake;!! Any way, what happened to the whistleblowers charter. Surely the prevention of public money being misappropriated is in the public interest.
- Alan, carlisle uk, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Get that ID card to her fast.............nothing to hide so nothing to fear? I look forward to the day she's political history.
- Bobby Smith, surrey, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Smith . . . Out! Out! Out!
- Fraser, Telford Park, 21/05/2009 00:09
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It's a disgrace that someone can be so blaintently dishonest...and these people are supposed to be working for us?
- Kieran, Newcastle upon Tyne, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She is absolutely useless at her job which should be enough to sack her. And her hubby is paid 40k and not 20k by the TAXPAYER for being her 'assistant'. Not to mention the 1000's she has claimed for a designer kitchen sink, antique fireplace, 2 plasa tv's, washing m/c and cooker.
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The reason the Tories have not asked for her resignation is because they know that there will be a number of their own MPs who are making spurious claims.
I don't understand why the taxpayer should pay for the TV and license fee never mind for satellite/cable TV - why can't she read a book or a newspaper or get on with her constituency work when she is in her constituency home?
- Andy, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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It's enough to cause a general erection.
- Basil, manchester, 21/05/2009 00:09
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'The Political Class' exposed once more, their arrogance matched only by their very good friends the bankers, both with a mutual sense of entitlement and total absence of shame!
The problem is how to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions in order to ensure that they stop and cannot be repeated again in the future.
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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If Jacqui and Richard are now without a film to watch I'll lend them my VHS copy of 'Debbie Does Dallas'.
- Neil Summers, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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There's no way she'll ever be sacked, the only people who have ever been sacked from Liebour have disagreed with Blair/Brown's policies.
- Bob, Cheam, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Admittedly the fact they were "adult" films makes the whole thing funnier (as in us laughing at Jackboot Jacqui's mortification) but how can watching ANY film be considered worthy of going on expenses unless they are secretly film critics or something? I just don't know how she can go out of the house (or her sister's spare room) and still hold her head up. I'd have crawled under a stone by now.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Jackboot Smiff is without doubt the worst Home Secretary in the history of Britain, no mean feat given the competition (especialyy within her own party!).
Given the current economic and political climate, the fact that she is not minutely scrutinising her expenses claims shows how monumentally arrogant this woman is and the contempt in which we are held by Soviet Labour.
I remember that Smiff was one of those baying for the blood of Tory MP Derek Conway, who didn't pay his family members anywhere near £40,000 per year, and didn't try to hide it by using different surnames.
Smiff is raging at the thought of the public getting a preview of her private life, perhaps now she knows how we feel about her and her megalomaniac colleagues sticking their noses into ours.
Confidence in British politics will never be restored whilst McClown and his morally corrupt politburo remain in power.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This talk of "mature" films takes some believing, why send out for lemonade when theres champagne at home.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, England, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Nice comment Jim@Sea Offshore.
But i wonder what other things is Jacqui Smith claiming for? I think she claims for so many things, she is getting a pure salary! If this were France, the country would be rioting by now, but we only moan in the UK.
I wonder what her hubby was watching? Would the grass care to reveal that too? Obviously Jacqui doesn't do it for her husband anymore, and i'm not surprised!
- Steve, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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this is a nothing story........
husband watches some films on his Virgin pay per view - including 2 adult films (this is Virgin - calling it pornography is pushing it a bit). The bill for the Phone services goes through in her expenses, the bill has everything on it, phone, broadband, TV contract, pay per views. The husband forgets to deduct the films from the bill and then someone at Virgin decides this is good information to send to a paper. The costs involved are tiny. This is an admin mistake involving a few pounds, hardly corruption.....
It all seems a little desperate, watching a Virgin Pay per View adult film is about a pornographic as an episode of Shameless....
- Martin_Clerkenwell, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Never mind the porn. What about "Ocean's 13?" I had to BUY my copy.
- Michelle@Shed22.Org.Uk, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This latest sage says more about Gordon Brown`s weak position as leader of a government in its last few months in power as opposed to Ms Smiths incompetent management of her familiy`s finances. If Brown had anything about him he would sack her now as her ongoing local difficulties are detracting her from doing job. I suspect he is afraid of her joining the girls on the back benches who would then not be afraid of orgainizing a coup to get rid of him in favour of Ms Harman. The will to ditch him in favour of anyone else must be growing by the day. No wonder TB never wanted Gordon to be PM. He obviously knew more about him than he was letting on.
- Brian Gare, Norfolk Gorleston, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She is a married woman? lodges with her sister?? her husband pays for porn on her expense account???
Its no wonder the country is like it is when we have people like this in Whitehall!!
Take my advice Jacqui .. go home and at least try to satisfy your husband .. you should be able to manage that!!
YOU CERTAINLY CAN'T SATISFY THIS COUNTRY!!
- Steven Mclean, Leeds,UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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It makes me wonder what else these people have claimed for in the past if they are so blase about their list of expenses for reimbursement.
- Steve, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She has to go. Fullstop.
Just like the rest of the Government.
- Chris H, City, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This is the woman who wants to criminalise men who use prostitutes. Whos husband watches 'adult films'. Can anyone now take her seriously?
- Boiled Cabbage, uk london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Her career isent hanging by a thread, its hanging by a G-String.
- Jim@Sea, Offshore, 21/05/2009 00:09
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News24 and SkyNews are both available on freeview so why are MP's claiming for subscriber TV at all?
- Steve, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Jacqui Smith will you please leave the building, you dirty dirty girl. Check out this video about are Jacqui
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbRL5YGZ3tI&feature=channel_page
- Gary Dumbill, Manchester, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Enough already. A joke Home Secratary in a joke government headed by a joke Prime Minister - except nobody's laughing. If there were enough principled labour MPs (fat chance) they would accept a vote of no confidence and we could push this corrupt mendacious lightweights out and have a real chance of solving the UK's problems.
- Andrew, Leaving the sinking ship England, 21/05/2009 00:09
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leave the poor woman alone her husbands libido is a very important part of her marriage and she cant be everywhere at one time .She cant be battlin,g to keep the countries end up and her own simultaneously...women are not superhuman
- Anne, Paris, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Jack Spratt: I presume you are joking with the ‘champagne at home’ analogy ... at best Smith could only be described a cheap ‘Asti Spumante’ ...and then only by someone who had already consumed a number of bottles..!
- Ade, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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leave the poor woman alone her husbands libido is a very important part of her marriage and she cant be everywhere at one time .She cant be battlin,g to keep the countries end up and her own simultaneously...women are not superhuman
- Anne, Paris, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Sack her ASAP with zero benefits.
- Serox, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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where's guy fawkes when you need him?
- Keith Richardsonk, colchester, essex, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Tax payer funded porn movies being watched by a tax payer funded husband of a tax payer funded useless minister who wants to criminalise men who pay for sex? sitting in his tax payer funded expensive house on his tax payer funded bed settee watching his tax payer funded TV with it's tax payer funded cable and no doubt TV licence, did Timney APOLOGISE to the tax payers? NO, he was sorry for the embarrassment caused to his wife and no doubt himself, he is also very worried that his cushy £40k salary will also be under threat along with all the other tax payer funded goodies his crooked wife can fleece from her expenses and second home allowances scams. How can this woman be home secretary it's a joke! Just think of the hundreds more MP's, Lords etc that are all scamming away taking every penny they can whilst up and down the country people are losing their jobs, losing their homes whilst this rabble of a govt. wastes £billions on corrupt banks, ID cards, grandstanding summits, inept MOD projects but continue to pig-out at the trough of public money which some of these MP's seem to think is their right to just take for whatever they want to spend it on. It's incredible that they are being allowed to get away with this, and the reason the Tories have not being making a big deal about is because they are no better. The whole think stinks, these greedy parasites are no better than benefits fraudsters, she should be sacked and so should he for misuse of public money!
- Ed, Hants, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Darius Midwinter of London apart from the fact that one woman is very often not enough for a married man he hasnt actually indulged in a real life affair has he...hes just keeping the home fires burning for Jacqui..whats wrong with that?
- Anne, Paris, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Regardless of the genre of the film why is Mr. Smith charging me, a British taxpayer, to watch movies. No doubt MPs and their crews are also able to get away without paying a TV licence. No wonder they support the dreaded BBC.
- Sarah, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Her husband is paid £40,000 a year by the tax payer, for being her assistant, and writing letters supportive of her to the local paper, not £20,000 as you state.
- Juliet, Cambridge, 21/05/2009 00:09
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What I don't understand is they have always profess to us as the perfect political correct married realationship. The word "Hypocrites" comes to mind.
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Anne of Paris -
Of course women are not superhuman (unless you believe the asprin ads) - but they at least should be enough for their husbands!
- Darius Midwinter, London UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Quote: "She signed off an expenses claim he had made for the two £5 films as part of a £67 TV package claimed under MPs' second home allowance."
This is the problem IMHO. We are paying for her family to watch TV or to have a new dining table or a new 88p plug on the basis that this is her '2nd' home.
It beggars belief that this is within the rules and that they think the general public should just accept it.
- Andy, Chester, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Just how incredibly dumb are these people!
- Mark, China, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Not only did Jacqui Smith claim for movies but also according to media reports £550 for a kitchen sink, £700 for a sofa bed and wait for it 89p for a bath plug, I would question any MP being able to claim for television or internet connections surely these are provided in her office at work? On top of this its shows either arrogance or incompetance that she or her staff do not check expenditure claims.
- Howard, London, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Could not have happened to a more deserving minister.
Since she wants to keep everyone's internet browsing history on file does that mean we can now look at her husband's?
- Alex, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Is a premature ejection for Jacqui Smith required?
- Paul, Lincoln, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Porn is not the issue, it's about her scruples. She will almost certainly lose her seat at the next election and in her final year looks like she is screwing every last penny out of the taxpayer to bank for her future - she has put her husband on the public payroll at £20K per year and she lives with her sister so she can claim tens of thousands in expenses on her 'second' home, where, oddly, her husband (who works for her) and her children live. How many of us live in a separate home from the one our spouse and kids live in?
Now, in addition to all of that, she clearly signs off expenses for things not only illegitimate but not even used by her. Why the hell we are paying MPs to sit and watch TV in their own home in the first place beggars belief, but she wasn't even there doing that.
There are 2 solutions - kick her out at the next election and elect MPs who will hand over the power over what they earn to an independent body that cleans up the system whereby they claim everything on expenses. Recently I heard an MP justifying buying towels at John Lewis and another talking about their kichem. Who the hell else gets towels or a new kitchen for their wife on expenses???!!!
- Tom Moncrieff, london W6, 21/05/2009 00:09
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We tax payers pay this woman £142,000 p.a., pay her husband £40,000 for his role as "house husband". She claims £24,000 p.a. for a "second home" which is a spare room in her sister's house which she occupies two or three nights a week. AND NOW WE ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR HER HUSBAND'S PORN. It takes some beating. Incidentally - did we also pay for the postage on the letters of support for Jacqui that her husband anonymously sent to the newspapers? Brown is not fit for purpose if he condones such behaviour.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Shouldn't Richard Timney have apologised to us the taxpayer. Jacqui Smith should indeed be furious as she sees her MP meal ticket slipping out of her grasp. Will there be any change in the system, I don't think so! The politicians have too much to lose, they're all on the take and are no better than the greedy bankers they're currently wagging their fingers at.
- Enough Of The Greed And Sleaze, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I wonder when somebody is going to ask David Cameron about Chris Grayling's £104k claim for his London flat when his family home is only 17 miles from Westminster. Ironic that he is Shadow Home Secretary, isn't it?
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 21/05/2009 00:09
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"Yes, everyone loves a SCANDAL...no matter how big or small.""After all...what could be more entertaining than watching the downfall of the high and mighty?""What could be more amusing than the public exposure of hypocritical sinners?""Yes, everyone loves a scandal. And if for some reason, you're not enjoying the latest one...""...well...the next one is always around the corner."
- Miguel Vargas, LONDON UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Do MP@s actually pay for anything out of their own pockets.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The activities observed by Jacqui Smith's husband in the porn films equates to what she's done to the Police Service...if you get my drift.....
- Mike Thompson, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The British public have got to see massive changes in our current electoral system before this type of insanity will stop. Of course the shadow cabinet aren't going to challenge this type of spending as they will be found equally at fault. We need viable people to vote for with good policies and decent moral fibre who want to improve life for all of us, not greedy fame hungry hypocrites who no matter which party they seem to represent are morally bankrupt, greedy, dishonest, fight imaginary wars, and have destroyed the economy and don't really care about ecological issues, the vulnerable in society, or efficient policing. The only people they are interested is themselves swanning around being 'famous'. I saw a piece of grafitti recently - "Don't Vote, It Only Encourages Them". I couldn't agree more.
- Real, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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In a way I'm sympathetic. She simply failed to cross out a couple of line items on an invoice when she submitted her claim for reimbursement for internet service provision. That's her hubby's "fault", and an accident. It's not of itself a resigning matter. However ...
She set herself up for a fall, by amply demonstrating the usual banker-style combination of greed, arrogance and incompetence, and what looks like contempt for the ordinary citizens of this country. She's a useless embarassment of a minister, and a gift to the Tories, who would be mad to want to get rid of her! Her own party, on the other hand, now have the opportunity. Hubris, followed by nemesis. Bye!
- Nigel, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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“Ministers leaped to Ms Smith's defence, with some saying the controversy over her allowances would blow over”.
How insulting, what they mean by blow over is, ignore public opinion for long enough the media will move on and we can continue doing what ever we want. The sad thing is that they are right, she will continue to be pious, while her husband watches porn, until this shower eventually get voted out.
- Gary, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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How many other MPs are claiming dodgy items on their expenses? Answer - most of them. The expenses checkers should be more vigilant in future and Miss Smith should pay the £10 and divorce her old man.
- Jb Hove, hove sussex uk, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I trust the Police are now investigating the 'porn' films concerned to make sure the performers were all adults, and performing without coercion. Unless, of course, its one law for them and another for the rest of us.
- Martin Good, London UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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HOW CAN IT BE A PRIVATE MATTER MR BROWN WHEN WE ARE PAYING HIM £40000 TO WATCH ADULT, (question mark) FILMS. WHICH WE ARE ALSO PAYING FOR. IN A HOUSE WE HAVE PAID TOWARDS, ON A TELEVISION WE HAVE PAID FOR > NOT SURE ABOUT THE CHAIR HE WAS SITTING ON < I ASSUME THEY MUSY HAVE PAID FOR SOMETHING THEMSELVES .
HOW DO I BECOME HOME SECRETARY.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 21/05/2009 00:09
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HOW CAN IT BE A PRIVATE MATTER MR BROWN WHEN WE ARE PAYING HIM £40000 TO WATCH ADULT, (question mark) FILMS. WHICH WE ARE ALSO PAYING FOR. IN A HOUSE WE HAVE PAID TOWARDS, ON A TELEVISION WE HAVE PAID FOR > NOT SURE ABOUT THE CHAIR HE WAS SITTING ON < I ASSUME THEY MUSY HAVE PAID FOR SOMETHING THEMSELVES .
HOW DO I BECOME HOME SECRETARY.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This is fantastic. It's like watching a political car crash in ultra slow motion.
Only about 14 months to go and they're going to have to get real jobs as the words 'lost deposit' is going to be featuring in an awful lot of trough snuffling Labour MP's lives.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 21/05/2009 00:09
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surely all mp's should be tagged as do a lot of criminals then we could see how often they use their priviliged second homes
- Johnh, london england, 21/05/2009 00:09
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MISS PIGGY SMIFF is undoubtedly the worst Home Secretaryt ever - and that is saying something!!
Hypocrite of the first order.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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That's right: use the state's hand outs (benefits) to pay for your expensive wide screen TV, super duper multicolour HD-DVD player, your bling, your beer, your rent, your pimp my ride car, etc... Like proper chavs, init!
- Chaz, London, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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FORGOT TO ADD IN MY COMMENT DRINKING COFFE WHICH NO DOBT WE PAID FOR < MADE IN A KETTLE NO DOUBT WE PAID FOR. WASHED UP IN A SINK NO DOUBT WE PAID FOR, IN A KITCHEN I ASSUME WE PAID FOR < IN A HOUSE WE ETC ETC ETC>
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 21/05/2009 00:09
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At least now we know where ALL OUR TAX MONEY is going.
- Alen, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Is this a desperate ruse to distract us from the £116,000 Biggy! A far more obscene subject! Gordon Brown announces she has his "Full Backing"! Is this a recorded message!
- Ij, Wisbech, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Why is it always that when this kind of thing would happen in the private sector, people get fired, and rightly so.
With politians, its a private matter, funded by the taxpayer of course.
what kind of planet do these politicians live on?!?!?
- Mario Kempe, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Mark, China I think we are the dumb ones to let our MP's within our government get away with stealing from us. This is one insult too far now, claiming expenses for porn may be funny but my blood boils at these people thinking we are stupid!
- Natty, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Well I mean it depends how many times the officer watched the movie...one time only may be considered "recreational",more than 3 times unethical..(those sexual phantasies belonging to the state...)
- Andre, CH, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Anne in Paris: follow the Plot! This isn't about what kind of film he watched - porn just makes it a bigger smack in her face. This is about MPs signing a peice of paper saying 'Yeah! I hereby swear all the expenses I submitted were run up in the course of doing my job!' instead of facing a proper audit - as private individuals and companies are forced to.
And all the berks who think it's just a little admin slip - only a tenner - add up all those other little admin slips you don't know about over the last decade from all political persuasions and it will certainly amount to millons of money taken of you, THE PUBLIC, to buy them - SERVANTS OF THE PUBLIC - things like porn films and plasma screen TVs.
The solution for this second home lark is simple: there should be a university halls-of-residence type building a short walk from Parliament, for the use of further-flung MPs: a single bed, a desk, an armchair, a reading-lamp and a handbasin - all from Ikea - is all the room needs, plus a bathroom down the hallway and broadband throughout the building. That should cut down security costs and travel claims and totally negate the need to furnish a second house. It might even discourage more liggers from joining the political gravy-train.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The system allows them to fiddle - sorry, claim - their expenses quite legitimately, so they're all at it (claiming expenses, not watching porn - well, maybe). And it's rife across other sectors, not just government. They are no different to those who abuse the benefits system it's just a difference of opportunity.
- Syd, London UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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It is no way a personel matter,I along with all tax payers footed the bill.And to blame her husband is disgracefull,im pretty sure she was looking at her next profession,after all she has been screwing the public for so long she is no doubt qualified for a job in the adult movie business.
- David, london, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Anne, Paris - whether it`s porn or a prostitute is not the point -
NOT ON MY TAXES, YOU DON`T.
If, however you don`t pay tax in the UK, you probably won’t mind (although you should, as it’s a moral question).
- Darius Midwinter, London UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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"A personal matter", so says Golden Gordon.
Sorry, but as soon as Smith's hapless hubby decided to have a J. Arthur at the taxpayers' expense, it ceased to become a personal matter.
She is not fit to govern; her husband is not fit to file her expenses; no-one connected with the Labour party is fit for anything.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This is a LABOUR minister. “We are all equal, but some are more equal than others.” What scandalous, unforgivable hypocrisy!!
This is a LABOUR minister. “We are all equal, but some are more equal than others.” What scandalous, unforgivable hypocrisy!!
And talk about getting caught with your pants down. How embarrassing!!
- Xtremely Worried, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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As one of her predecessors famously put it "she is not fit for purpose". She is now a rather bad joke.
- Ayliff Mcnab, Spain, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Is he a Banker?
- Ted, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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At the end of the day, motivation for all British MPs is career development and salary. It's just a job with a decent package of perks. It's not about serving the public or solutions. It's "what is the most expensive table I can claim for", and "can I employ my partner for a wage just on the 25% tax threshold to boost our joint income". Good luck to them and god help us.
- Ben Farrell, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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SEND ALL YOUR OLD PORN TAPES AND DVD'S TO "JACQUI C/O THE HOME OFFICE.
BROWN ENVELOPES ONLY PLEASE!
- Peter, LOUGHTON, 21/05/2009 00:09
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In this case Jack I would hardly call her 'champagne' more like cheap cider.
- James Taown, Braintree UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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What Jacqui Smith needs to do is have a quiet night at home watching the television with her hubby, You never know there might be a good movie on,Or on the other hand, if you excuse the pun, rewrite her speech on the sleazy sex industry.
- Mchael Ferris, Nottingham, 21/05/2009 00:09
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This government is arrogant; they know that they can literally get away with murder and not have to resign. How would a simple matter of unethical and illegal behaviour involving theft of the electorates public money justify resignation, in the light of their greater evils? They are lauging at us.
- Ernest Hand, Derby, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Get rid of the whole government, it's brought this country to it's knee's, by design. And those who commited war crimes, let them be tried for those (alleged) crimes.
- Dave, Cardiff, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Gordon Brown should clear off together with grobian Jacqui, illiterate Johnson and all the other fauna in the New Labour government.
We have had enough of you!
- Horace, London, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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it was public money which makes it a very public matter
- Chris, TEESSIDE, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Like so many in our current administration it is time to go
- Scott, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The whole system reeks no MP can possibly defend any of this it is clearly common practice on all sides. How some MP's claim NIL and Andy Love can claim £104k needs answering.
Mionisters should be exemplrary in their behaviour and clearly Ms Smith is not and as such she should resign. As should any MP who lives in London and claims for a second home.
Lets not forget it's MP's of every shade that are up to this. They can't behave and prove a very simple point taht self regulation is a joke and it is high time that Ministers should set up an independant body to sort this all out.
Not one full of money grabbing laywers and accountants but one of the honest truthful and solvent. If you give the kids the keys to the cake cupboard dont be surprised when the cake bill gets enormous if all you ever do is refill it and never ask why its empty.
- Duncan, Kent, 21/05/2009 00:09
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The basic principles in all this mess over MPs expenses should be:
1. You spend public money, you are accountable for every penny of it to us, the taxpayers. That means nothing is "confidential". It's our money. So we get to see every invoice, every receipt if we want to. Fair's fair.
2. Just because the rule says you can do something, it does not make it right. There is such a thing as a bad rule.
3. All government ministers' expenses should be published in full.
It's time for a public reckoning. If your MP is claiming allowances, challenge him or her to prove that these are being claimed within the letter and the spirit of the rules.
Remember: They represent us. We voted for them. They are public servants.
- Edward Thompson, Bedfordshire, 21/05/2009 00:09
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These people are filtching from the tax payer left right and centre. Expenses are for goods and services whilst doing their job, not for every day to day living expenses.They say they get into politics to serve. Yes, to serve their own greed and to line their pockets at our espense
- Barbus, Liverpool, 21/05/2009 00:09
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She must go NOW, along with her sleezy husband.....
- Maggi Weller, London, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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It's the fact that I have indirectly paid for her husband to sit at home and watch porn that galls me. I really don't think that's appropriate use of my taxes. Oh, its just blooming unbelievable that she thinks its OK. It really really isn't.
- Flo, Bath, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Heard of Debbie does Dallas.
Now we have.
Jacqui does the Taxpayer.
- Barbus, Liverpool, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Maybe its about time Ministers didnt claim for second homes, and spent some with their spouses, so as to stop them watching porn and getting some luvin' instead!
Mind you if I was Mr. Smith I would probably enjoy a porn movie rather than have her in my bed!
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt, 21/05/2009 00:09
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one of those quirks of human nature and life dictates that things have a tendency to happen in three's; good, bad, or indifferent. she might do well to resign now, before the devastating number three pops up to blow her out of the water.
she'd have been best advised to call it a day when dubious' accommodation arrangements reared it's ugly head,
she'd not have been under such close scrutiny and the shame might not have slipped out so publicly.
ultimately her rather unconventional approach to honest expense claims, such as employing her husband, claiming for 'entertainment' hire and living hither and thither were her own making and as such she is the architect of her own destruction.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 21/05/2009 00:09
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its embarrasing for jackie smith thats for sure. It gives the tory saddos (who lets not forget are doing exactly the same things) ammunition for another slanging match. If some of you commentating feel smith is a hypocrite, then maybe you should ask your own (probably tory) MP's to declare their expenses - you will probably find a lot more damamging stuff than a silly £10 pay per view film.
hypocritw??? i think the tories and their sheep like followers need to look in the mirror!!!
- Kh, London UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Are we absolutely certain that Jacqui was not on the sofa watching the films with Timney? After all we only have word for it and his, and both have proved untrustworthy.
- Richard K, Nottingham, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Should we be prepearing a Eulogy for Jacqui Spliff the Triple eX Home Secretary?
- Chris Williams, Cardiff, 21/05/2009 00:09
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Real, London - Although I agree with the graffiti too - Don't Vote, It Only Encourages Them" this isn't the solution. Everyone should go to the ballot box & spoil the paper - this sends a real message - Yes we can be bothered, yes we care but not for anyone we are being offered. By not voting in the first place just lets the minority vote in the type of government we have now.
- Opus, London, 21/05/2009 00:09
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I am sorry Gordon - WATCHING PORNOGRAPHIC FILMS AT TAX PAYERS' EXPENSE IS NOT A "PERSONAL MATTER". It is a scandalous abuse of public money which we work hard to provide you with - and your comments about Smith doing "a good job" are the final insult to the law abiding tax payers who pay your wages. We did not elect you but we sure as hell have to pay you, and to have to listen to you condoning MP's fraudulent claims for thousands of pounds of our money is totally unacceptable. The only job Jacqui Smith is doing well is claiming extortionate sums of money under false pretenses. I think your advisers are failing in their duties if they have not made you aware of the current mood of the electorate - it is one of very great ANGER.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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i would like to know why her husband as not been sacked for gross misconduct he is still getting £40 a year can you tell me what for ?
- Warichunt, teesside uk, 21/05/2009 00:09
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By all means get her back to work. Doing, and being paid the rate, for the only job that she's fit for, cleaning the streets. No offence meant to street cleaners, who would no doubt be glad to clear her away with the rest of the garbage.
- Lezli Taubler, London / UK, 21/05/2009 00:09
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