Smith admits 'bad mistake'
Updated on 07 April 2009
A forthcoming detailed publication of three years worth of MPs expense claims is spreading gloom and confusion on both front and back benches.
As the home secretary came out fighting today over her parliamentary allowances, she described her expenses as "fair and reasonable".
Jacqui Smith has admitted that she made a "bad mistake" over her expenses claim for porn films and premium movies.
FactCheck: Smith's expenses 'fair'?
Home secretary Jacqui Smith has made a vigorous defence of her use of parliamentary expenses. But do her claims stack up? FactCheck investigates.
Read more
The interview in full
Samira Ahmed talks to the home secretary about her expenses claims and the need for reform.
Jacqui Smith: "It is pretty obvious that you shouldn't claim for films that your family are watching. That doesn't come within the rules, I am clear about that.
It was wrong, it should never have been claimed for. I wish it had been brought to my attention earlier. As soon as it was, I paid back the money".
"I paid back the difference between what I claimed for in terms of a broadband connection into the house, and the television package, that I didn't think was justifiable and I have paid all of that money back."
Samira Ahmed: But you signed off those expenses? You hadn't noticed before?
JS: "I was wrong and I should have done, and as soon as it was brought to my attention I paid that money back."
SA: You didn't read your expenses?
JS "I do read them and on this occasion I missed it and that was a mistake and I am very sorry that I made that mistake."
SA: Your husband puts together your expenses - how many times has he claimed for movies watched by your family before?
JS "I don't think there is any other occasion but in order to be absolutely clear, I paid back all of the money over and above simply the cost of having a broadband connection into my home..."
"In order to be absolutely clear about what I claim and what I shouldn't claim for, I have repaid all of the difference between simply having a broadband package and having a television package as well."
SA: Not just the ten pounds for the two porn films?
JS: "No, I have paid back more than ten pounds."
SA: What have you paid back?
JS:"I have paid back the total amount of the difference between having a Virgin package which covers television and films and simply having the broadband connection."
SA: What about in the past?
JS: "I now know that the taxpayer hasn't paid for any television watching or films that have been watched in my home."
SA: On this latest set of claims?
JS: "Yes."
