Jacqui Smith porn scandal: Husband's apology over blue movies
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's husband apologised today for causing her embarrassment over an expenses claim which included adult films he watched.
Speaking outside the couple's home in Redditch, Worcestershire, Richard Timney told reporters: "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 as you know that money is being paid back."
Mr Timney's apology follows a statement earlier by Ms Smith who promised to pay back the money she wrongly claimed for the television package.
She had "mistakenly" submitted the expenses claim which included five pay-per-view films, including the two adult movies which were viewed at her family home in her Redditch constituency. The £67 bill was submitted last June as part of Ms Smith's expenses.
Ms Smith said: "I am sorry that in claiming for my internet connection, I mistakenly 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.
"All money claimed for the television package will be paid back in full."
Number 10 backed Ms Smith's decision to repay the expenses claim.
Downing Street said the Home Secretary had done the "right thing" by taking steps to rectify the "inadvertent mistake".
A spokesman said: "Jacqui Smith has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify this inadvertent mistake as soon as she became aware of it.
"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."
Earlier Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that Ms Smith was an "outstanding" Home Secretary, but refused to be drawn on the disclosures about her expenses.
