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I didn’t know honest Guv !

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!

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.

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 …

Mandelson turns into the Hulk – sort of!

Stephen Sondheim, one of the worlds greatest ever lyricists,  wrote the music and lyrics to the 1966 musical “A funny thing happened on the way to the forum” .Never has such a title been so apt than this morning! I was half way through my workout at the gym and just ahead of me I saw the instantly recognisable “Breaking News” logo from Sky News flash before my eyes. I looked up and had the laugh of my life!

A woman, protesting against the third runway at Heathrow decided the best way to get her point across was the throw green custard in the face of Lord Mandelson as he arrived at a venue celebrating the launch of a low-carbon summit.

Leila Deen, who is a member of the “Plane Stupid” environmental group walked up to Business Secretary Peter Mandelson as he arrived in his chauffeur driven car and threw her green custard on his face. The video clearly shows the green gunk hitting her mark and Mandelson ran for cover as best a politician could!

Arguably the funniest thing for me was watching Ms Deen pick up her papers, turn around and calmly walk away without anyone blinking!!! Where was his security? Where were the police? I’m no fan of Mandelson but surely a politician at his level would have security?

No complaint has been made about the incident and no action taken against Ms Deen.

But former deputy prime minister John (Muhammad Ali) Prescott, who threw a punch at a protester who had thrown an egg at him in 2001, said it was “totally unacceptable” that Ms Deen had been able to walk away after the incident without being arrested.

Enjoy the video!

David Cameron’s Loss

I’ve never been one to get involved in Political discussion, never been interested – apart from the politics in the United States when it every four years it’s time for America as a whole to choose their leader. There has always been something about this process that interests Westerners not remotely involved in this decision making process. Something romantic, glamorous maybe? I digress!

With that in mind I was saddened to hear that David Cameron’s son Ivan, who was severely disabled, had lost his battle and had died overnight. I met David Cameron a year ago when he came into work, he was standing in reception waiting to be ushered into a studio to record an interview but he smiled, said hello and we exchanged a few pleasantries despite being strangers. A very warm and gracious man, he had time for anyone who wished to give him a passing glance or a shake of the hand.

On the other hand, and this is why I mentioned I had no political affiliations, since Gordon Brown stepped into Tony Blair’s shoes, he has never quite grasped the role. Sure he has had a hell of a lot to deal with the country in decline financially at the moment but still – he never seems to exude confidence to the public. That said, my opinion of our Prime Minister changed somewhat yesterday when I sat and watched him pay tribute to Cameron and for the loss of his son. It was a heartfelt speech and an emotive one. I was moved, genuinely.

“I know that the whole house will want to express their sorrow at the death of Ivan Cameron,” Brown told MPs.

“He brought joy to all those around him. Every child is precious and irreplaceable. The death of a child …