Smith expenses will be investigated
By politics.co.uk staff
Home secretary, Jacqui Smith, is to have her expense claims investigated by parliament’s standards watchdog.
Parliamentary standards commissioner, John Lyon, has accepted a complaint about her claims for £116,000 for a second home despite having already refused to look into the matter twice.
Ms Smith said: “He received a complaint, he’s investigating it. I will of course respond to any questions the independent commissioner asks me.
“I sought advice about arrangements I made for living in two places. I followed the advice given to me and I followed the rules.”
Questions were raised about Ms Harman’s expenses because she classifies the house where her husband and children live as her second home.
She lives with her sister in London and claims up to £24,000-per-year for her home in Redditch.
The home secretary has always claimed she has done nothing wrong and maintains she is complying with parliamentary codes.
She said: “I have always acted fully within parliament’s clear rules on expenses and sought written approval from the parliamentary fees office in 2007 over my living arrangements.”
Over the weekend her sister’s neighbours claimed she was only in the house two days a week.
SNP home affairs spokesperson Pete Wishart welcomed the news.
“Jacqui Smith faces serious allegations and I welcome confirmation that the standards commissioner is now prepared to investigate matters,” he said.
“For this latest complaint to have be triggered by the home secretary’s own neighbours literally brings these allegations to New Labour’s doorstep.”
