Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#1
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has apologised and promised to pay back money which she wrongly claimed for a television package which was reported to include adult movies.
Ms Smith said she "mistakenly" claimed for the television package while submitting a bill for an internet connection.
The £67 bill was submitted last June as part of Ms Smith's expenses, the Sunday Express reported.
The newspaper said the Virgin Media bill included two 18-rated features which each cost £5 which were viewed on April 1 and April 6 last year.
The bill was also said to include two viewings of the film Ocean's 13 - at £3.75 each - and an additional £3.50 to watch the film Surf's Up.
In a statement to the newspaper, 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."
News of the claim is an embarrassment to Ms Smith who last month faced criticism for claiming taxpayer-funded allowances for a second home while living with her sister.
Ms Smith said she had "fully abided" by the rules by designating her sister's house as her "main" residence, allowing her to claim payments on the Redditch constituency home she shares with her husband and children.
I heard on the news that she was not present when the adult films were viewed but that she has given her husband a right ear bashing.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
#2
It would seem Mr Jacqui did not "abide by the rules".................................
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
good taste in films though, i enjoyed the 2 oceans films that i saw.
i thought that her old man had booked what were supposed to have been red hot porn movies?
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#4
I am afraid Jacqui Smith is destined for the political scrap heap and is almost sure to be exited in the next reshuffle. Im afraid she has been rather hapless and/or unfortunate. But people are sick of the rule bending now and there are no lifelines, nor should there be.Pity though, as I thought initially she was talented and a good choice for Home Secretary by Gordon Brown. There are just too many skeletons in the cupboard and too many apologies.
#5
Hapless cannot be excused in a position of such power. I have never liked the woman, frankly, she has appeared patronising, cold blooded and lacking in charm. Charm is very under-rated in the UK, but is such a useful tool.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
i am trying to think of one of our leaders with charm.
sorry, but i cannot think of one that does not try to bully us in some way.
with the opposition, they are trying to be people friendly, but once elected, i suspect it will be back to talking down to us.
#7
I think Ken Clarke has charm, and Mo Mowlam did in spades. Denis Healy, Michael Foot, Tony Benn - I am struggling to think of contemporary ones though.....eeeek!! Ian Duncan-Smith has charm.....help me out here chaps!!!!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#8
enoch powell had charm,gave damm good speaches to.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
to be quite honest brian, i never what enoch was talking about.
everyone used to say, what a great brain, an expert on egyptology etc.
no communication skills whatsoever.
maybe that was why he joined the ulster unionists?
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#10
The latest news from Soho
It was stressed that she had not seen the films, which were watched by her husband, Richard Timney, at their family home in Redditch, Worcestershire, while she was away. A contrite Mr Timney appeared briefly outside the house to read a short statement apologising for the "embarrassment" he had caused to his wife.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#11
howard,if you listend carefully to enoch powell you would have understood what he was saying.his river of blood speach is now coming true.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
brian
i listened to them umpteen times, the rivers of blood speech is the only one that people remember him for.
incidentally, wasn't he the health minister that advertised for staff in west africa, in order to keep pay claims down in the health service?