Jacqui Smith husband apologises in adult film cash row

Mar 30 2009 by Alun Thorne, Birmingham Post

Embattled Home Secretary Jacqui Smith’s credibility took a further battering yesterday after her husband was forced to apologise over an expenses claim which included adult films he watched.

Richard Timney made a statement outside the couple’s home in her Redditch constituency where he apologised for the embarrassment he had caused his wife.

Earlier Ms Smith had been forced to issue an unreserved apology after it was revealed that she had “mistakenly” submitted an expenses claim for five pay-per-view films, including the two adult movies which her husband had viewed while she had been away.

Mr Timney said: “I am really sorry for any embarrassment I have caused Jacqui. I can fully understand why people might be angry and offended by this. Quite obviously a claim should never have been made for these films, and that money is being paid back.”

Ms Smith said the mistake had been made when she was claiming for her internet connection but had inadvertently claimed for a television package alongside it.

“As soon as the matter was brought to my attention, I took immediate steps to contact the relevant parliamentary authorities and rectify the situation,” she said. “All money claimed for the television package will be paid back in full.”

This is the second time in as many months that the Home Secretary has been forced to answer difficult questions about her expenses.

In February it was revealed that she claims her sister’s house as her main residence so that she can claim a second home allowance on the family property in Worcestershire although she has always claimed that this is within the rules and Parliamentary sleaze watchdog John Lyon has since ruled there is insufficient evidence of wrongdoing for an inquiry.

Last night Downing Street gave its backing to the Home Secreatary while David Miliband said that Ms Smith was an “outstanding” Home Secretary.

Downing Street said the Home Secretary had done the “right thing” by taking steps to rectify the “inadvertent mistake”.

A spokesman said: “She is doing a great job as Home Secretary and will not let this issue detract from her determination to ensure we protect the public and make our neighbourhoods safer.”

However, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper said there had to be “greater transparency” regarding the expense claims of MPs.

She said: “I think there is a wider issue, that there has got to be greater transparency, greater independent checks in terms of MPs’ expenses across the board, that is why I think this new review that is taking place...is exactly the right way forward. You have got to have a system that people can feel confident in.”

Former shadow home secretary David Davis said: “It is very hard to believe. My first response was under what category would this expense claim be?

“I didn’t even know films were that expensive...claiming for films? I can’t believe it.”

Asked if she should resign Mr Davis said: “I don’t call for people to go unless I think there is absolutely a smoking gun but I just do think on this circumstance sympathy for her will be even less because she is not that good at her job.”