You have to laugh don’t you. Well, that’s exactly what I did when I read this afternoon that the Home Secretary, yes the Home Secretary has been found out trying to pay for a TV package as part of her parliamentary duties – give me strength!
Smith and her husband
Her husband decided to watch a couple of “Adult” films on pay per view and then claimed for them back on expenses! Nothing wrong with his taste, everyone is entitled to watch what they want to as long as they are consenting adults, heck he even paid for “Surf’s Up” and “Ocean’s 13″ too. That said, are you trying to tell me you can’t distinguish between that and a bill for web connection? NO! What a pathetic excuse and from the Home Seretary Jacqui Smith herself!
Ms Smith said she “mistakenly” claimed for a TV package when billing for a web connection and would repay the cash.
Downing Street said she had done the “right thing” by quickly rectifying the “inadvertent mistake”.
The Home Secretary is already under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her use of the second homes allowance.
MPs can claim for subscription television services but they have to be used wholly, exclusively and necessarily to perform their duties.
Home Sec - web connection anyone?!
BBC political correspondent, Gary O’Donoghue, said a source told him Ms Smith was “livid and shocked” when she found out about the films.
He said he was told Ms Smith was not at home when they were viewed and said she had no intention of resigning over the matter.
Mr O’Donoghue said he was told Ms Smith had given her husband a “real ear-bashing“.
Last month Ms Smith was criticised for claiming taxpayer-funded allowances for a second home while living with her sister.
But she insisted she had “fully abided” by the rules because she had designated her sibling’s house as her “main” residence.
