Sorry, minister - husband's porn shame

The husband of Jacqui Smith, the British Home Secretary, made a shame-faced public apology to his wife yesterday - but not to the British taxpayer - for claiming the cost of watching two pornographic films on parliamentary expenses.

Downing St led a desperate attempt to protect Smith, already facing a parliamentary inquiry over her housing claims, from speculation about her survival as Home Secretary.

Cabinet ministers rallied around her in the face of calls from Opposition MPs to consider resigning. Smith now has to cope with a toxic combination of anger over her expenses claims and the humiliating disclosure of her husband's taste in entertainment.

She was said by friends to be "mortified and furious" over the disclosure that a 67 ($169) claim for television expenses included the cost of viewing two 18-rated movie sessions. The Home Secretary, who promised to pay the money back, had no intention of resigning, the friends added.

The films were viewed by her husband, Richard Timney, on two nights when Smith was away from the couple's family home in Redditch, Worcestershire. He is paid 40,000 a year from the public purse to run his wife's constituency office.

In a brief statement, Timney said: "I am 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."

The episode is particularly embarrassing to Smith, the first female Home Secretary, as she is leading moves to strengthen legislation on the sex industry by bringing in tougher licensing rules for lap-dancing clubs.

The claims would have been prepared by Timney in his function as her office manager, but would have been countersigned by her.

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."

Aides hope the rapid action, and Timney's public apology to his wife, will help to win her sympathy.

Smith's leaked expenses contained a wealth of detail that will fuel claims that the system is being milked by MPs to furnish second homes.

Smith has designated her Redditch property, where Timney and their two sons live, as her second home, entitling her to claim taxpayer-funded allowances for the house. She has claimed more than 150,000 from the taxpayer for the cost of running the home over the past five years.

The cash covers not just utility bills and the council tax, but also expensive furniture and fittings. She claimed 1000 for an antique fireplace from a reclamation yard, 704 for a sofabed and 460 for a dining room table.

The family's kitchen was kitted out with a 399 oven, a tumble dryer at 189 and two washing machines. Smith, who earns 141,866 a year, even claimed 88p for a bath plug.

Smith insists her main home is her sister's house in London where she stays during the week.

- INDEPENDENT