REDDITCH MP and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is facing fresh calls to quit after coming under fire over her parliamentary expense claims, including two pay-per-view pornographic films her husband ordered.
Questions over her future have been raised after it was revealed Ms Smith used Commons expenses to pay for numerous items which had no connection to her work as an MP.
Ms Smith (pictured), who is already facing a probe by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over her use of the second homes allowance, claimed £22,948 in 2007-8.
Items bought included a sink worth £550, a table worth £460, an antique fireplace worth £1,000, a bath plug for 88p and two pay-per-view adult films for £5 each, ordered by her husband at the family home while she was away.
Her husband, Richard Timney, who is also her parliamentary aide, apologised for embarrassing his wife and said he understood why people might be angry.
Mr Timney said: “I’m 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.”
MPs can claim for subscription television services but they have to be used wholly, exclusively and necessarily to perform their duties.
A maximum of £23,083 in second home allowance can be claimed every year but now there are growing calls for it to be scrapped.
Ms Smith said: “There’s no point pretending that the last few days have been easy.
“I know that many people in Redditch will be angry and offended by the reports this weekend about my parliamentary expenses – and first and foremost I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone in the town for the embarrassment these reports have caused.
“Over the last few days my main concern has been to make sure that people in Redditch understand how sorry I am.
“More than anyone else, they deserve an explanation for what happened and what I have done to make amends.”
She added: “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.”
A wide-ranging inquiry into MPs’ expenses is due to start this autumn.
MP's claims list
Entertainment centre including DVD players, two widescreen televisions and two digital set-top boxes - more than £1,100.
Two washing machines - nearly £550.
Tumble dryer - £189 Cooker - £399 Connection fee for installing cooker - £15 Antique fireplace - £1,000. Coal to burn in it was also claimed for.
Sofabed - £704.
Dining room table - £460 Bath plug - 88p Stone model sink - £550 Two pay-per-view pornographic films - £5 each.
Two pay-per-view screenings of Ocean’s 13 - £3.75 each.
Pay-per-view screening of animated cartoon Surf’s Up - £3.50.
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