Gordon Brown defends Jacqui Smith over expenses
Gordon Brown last night defended home secretary Jacqui Smith over her controversial expenses claims and refused to comment on whether she would be forced to appear before a disciplinary hearing.
The Prime Minister stressed the Redditch MP had done an “excellent” job in her role despite calls for her resignation for claiming £116,000 for mortgage interest and running costs on her Redditch home.
His comments came after he was forced to defend two more of his Cabinet ministers, James Purnell and Geoff Hoon, over allegations of capital gains tax avoidance.
During a visit to Tamworth, Staffordshire, he vowed to do whatever it takes to “clean up” the system.
Mr Brown said: “I think the issue in the House of Commons is that every MP’s expenses over the last four years are going be reviewed, mine and everyone else’s, and let’s see what happens at that review.”
In defending Ms Smith, he said she had “done an excellent job as home secretary”.
“She has led the way of neighbourhood policing. People know that police are more visible in the communities, more accountable, more accessible, more easily contactable and I think the important thing to recognise is the good work that has been done, not just in the fight against terrorism by Jacqui but also at a local level in increasing neighbourhood policing,” he added.
