Jacqui Smith admits mistake over expenses
HOME Secretary Jacqui Smith today admitted it had been a “difficult few weeks” for her as she faced fresh pressure to justify her expenses claims.
Ms Smith said a claim for two adult movies watched by her husband and assistant Richard Timney should never have come within a “million miles” of being lodged.
But she declined to apologise for declaring her sister’s London home as her main residence, saying that she spends the majority of her time in the capital and had checked this arrangement with the House of Commons authorities.
“It has been a difficult few weeks and I have apologised for those bits of my expenses that I think are wrong. I think we should be more transparent with our expenses than we have been previously. We have made lots of changes over the last few years but there are more that we need to make,” she said.
Commenting on the claim for the adult movies, she said: “This was a mistake, it was a mistake that we both made.
“It was a claim that should not have got within a million miles of being claimed and that is why as soon as it was brought to my attention. I said I am sorry, it was wrong and I paid the money back.”
Asked about the impact of the claim for the two adult films on her family, Ms Smith said: “We are a strong family and we will get on with it.”
