U.K. Expense Scandal Ousts Home Secretary

Reports: Jacqui Smith Plans To Resign Following Criticism Over Her Use Of Taxpayers' Money

(CBS/AP)  British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith plans to quit her post, becoming the highest profile victim of the country's lawmakers' expense scandal, Britain's media reported on Wednesday.

The BBC and Sky News reported that Smith will resign as Home Secretary - one of the most senior jobs in Britain's government - following criticism over her use of taxpayers' money. The Home Office, which she runs, manages immigration, counter terrorism efforts, policing, and anti-drug efforts.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office declined comment on the reports. Smith's office did not immediately respond to repeated requests for comment.

The 46-year-old minister was criticized after she included - inadvertently, she said - two pornographic movies ordered by her husband in an expense claim. Smith has also faced allegations she manipulated the housing allowance system to maximize the amount she received.

Reports of her decision to quit come days before Brown is expected to reassign roles in his ministerial team, and possibly fire senior legislators who have been embarrassed by disclosures over their expenses.

Treasury chief Alistair Darling, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and a host of other Cabinet ministers have acknowledged mistakes over their claims, leaving their futures in doubt.

The departure of senior ministers could undermine Brown as he tries to fend off opposition calls for an early national election.

David Cameron, the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, which leads Brown's Labour Party in polls, has demanded an election to give the public the chance to oust lawmakers who have claimed expenses inappropriately.

"They are not actually governing the country, they are not dealing with the economy ... we need a fresh start," Cameron told BBC radio.

Brown must call a national election by June 2010, and political analysts predict hundreds of politicians could lose their jobs over the scandal.

Smith's position was precarious even before disclosures over her expenses. She failed to push proposed reforms to anti-terrorism laws through Parliament, ignored advice from her own scientific advisers on drug laws and clashed with London's mayor over the future of the city's police commissioner.

Hoon, who was defense secretary at the time of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, promised Tuesday to reimburse taxpayers for 384 pounds ($630). He said he'd mistakenly claimed expenses on two different homes at the same time - including charges for home insurance and an energy bill.

Darling promised Monday to repay about 700 pounds ($1,150) for having mistakenly charged simultaneous expenses on two homes. Parliament limits lawmakers to claims on only one property.

The disclosures are among latest revelations about legislators' claims for items ranging from horse manure to tennis court repairs, which have triggered widespread anger.

One member of the Labor party claimed enough gas money to have driven twice around the globe in a year, reported CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar in March.

In all, 14 lawmakers - not including Smith - have said they will not run for re-election.

[scyouth]

Her expenses pales in comparison to your Heroes this past weekend when he spent $24,000
Posted by d7767w

I paid around 24,000 in taxes over the last 2 1/2 years - I hereby donate that money to pay for their dinner. There now noone else need worry about it.

[scyouth]

you fools still think he is the messiah.
Posted by d7767w

YOU'RE the only ones whoever called him Messiah. We (liberals) aren't that stupid.

[stn_sage]

I feel bad for the citizens of Great Britain---that their leaders are crooks, too!

But, it's gratifying to know that English politicians are just as crooked as American ones!
We CERTAINLY have THAT in common!

I hope Sarah Palin is paying attention to this article, Palin has the nasty habit of trying to charge everything to the citizens of Alaska, that SHE should be paying for and not them!
Though, I think she's bright enough NOT to try to get the citizens of Alaska to pay for porno films for her and the mister!

IF there's a difference between the U.S. and U.K. systems---I'm guessing that OURS allows the politicians to RESTATE their expenses and assets without being penalized in the form of losing your job over it! Because if you follow the news over time, you'll see how a lot of U.S.
politicians are constantly re-filing their statements---usually after being caught for understating income or not paying enough taxes, etcetera!

IF our system functioned as theirs' did, we could get rid of over half the politicians in 'D.C.'---probably! What a wonderful thought!

[brianbwb-2009]

"Darling promised Monday to repay about 700 pounds ($1,150) for having mistakenly charged simultaneous expenses on two homes. Parliament limits lawmakers to claims on only one property."

When the rich screw up, it is a mistake, when the non rich do it, then it is a crime.

Funny, we had a revolution, supposedly to escape rule of aristocracy, but have come to be just like our former colonial rulers.

"...No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which." -George Orwell, Animal Farm

[12345-908903]

Love this. Why can't we have an expense "outing" of Congress? Would like to see them resign en masse.