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Smith faces new attacks over her 'second home' expenses claims
Nicholas Cecil07.05.09
Jacqui Smith faced fresh controversy today over her claim of tens of thousands of pounds for a taxpayer-funded second home.
Her local town hall in Worcestershire revealed that her constituency home is not treated as a second home for council tax purposes - although the Home Secretary had declared it as a second home for the payment of the Commons housing allowance.
The apparent contradiction was immediately seized on by Tory MP Ben Wallace, who alleged it implied an "abuse of the expenses system".
The Home Secretary is being investigated by Parliament's sleazebuster after claiming that her main home is a house that she shares with her sister in south-east London.
She has claimed nearly £140,000 in second home allowance including an estimated £84,000 on the house in Worcestershire which she and her family moved into five years ago.
However, Redditch borough council said: "Jacqui Smith has not benefited from a 'second home' council tax discount. The charge has been calculated on the basis of there being two adult residents."
Mr Wallace claims this "calls into question the Home Secretary's claims that her main full-time residence is her sister's spare bedroom".
However, Ms Smith rejected the accusation, with an aide stressing that neither she nor her sister had claimed a council tax rebate.
A source close to Ms Smith said today: "This attack is absurd. She is being attacked for not claiming a discount."
Reader views (6)
"Charged with fraud" - no chance - the unifrom branch of NuLab will not investigate their own !
- Wills, Soton
Margy has got it right.
- Richard P, Eaton Bishop UK
Until Gordon Brown is kicked out of office Smith will continue to plunder the public purse by making expense claims. Gordon is on record as saying he "supported Jacqui" when this scandal first came to light, and when her husband claimed for his pornographic films on Jacqui's expenses Brown said it was a "private matter". The fact that the £140,000 she has so far claimed is tax payers' money makes this a very PUBLIC matter and she must be made repay this amount in full.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
She deserves to be on the DNA database.
- John, Dorset, UK
She should go immediately and then be charged with fraud, just like anyone else would be for doing what she has done. ie blatently lying for financial gain!
At least the tories had the backbone to resign & admit 'mea culpa' when caught fiddling!
This shower of spineless cowards (labour) just beggar belief.
- Margy, London
I HAVE HEARD MORE THAN ENOUGH ABOUT THE ANTICS OF MISS PIGGY SMIFF.
GET THIS APOLOGY FOR A HUMAN BEING OUT OF GOVERNMENT.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
