Few people would like to be Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, today. This morning the world awoke to the news that due to a mistake on an expenses claim (one wonders how the mistake was made) the taxpayer had apparently paid for her husband's hire of a couple of adult (18 rated) films. In a world where grown up people are free, within reason, to make choices, one cannot reproach her husband , Richard Timney, for his choice of entertainment. No doubt his wife works longer hours than most of us. However, whether the taxpayer should foot the bill for it is another matter. To his credit, Mr Timney has repaid the sum in question, although the mind boggles as to how the mistake was made in the first place, given the restricted number of outlets for films with an 18 certificate. They're hardly the sort of thing one can pick up at the local supermarket.
Rather more disturbing is the controversy which has since arisen over Ms Smith's expenses claim for a second home and the fact that she declared a property belonging to her sister as her main residence. If substantial expenses are there to be claimed, one cannot blame Ms Smith - or any other MP come to that - for claiming them. What is at issue though is the legitimacy of the claim. In terms of the allowances available to MP's much may be allowed by the letter of the law, but it is incumbent on them to act within the spirit of the law, not stretch a point or indulge in what could probably be called creative accounting. At a time when most people are being bitten hard by the credit crunch, Members of Parliament and in particular those who hold a ministerial portfolio, have a duty to lead by example and exercise a little restraint.
Rather more disturbing is the controversy which has since arisen over Ms Smith's expenses claim for a second home and the fact that she declared a property belonging to her sister as her main residence. If substantial expenses are there to be claimed, one cannot blame Ms Smith - or any other MP come to that - for claiming them. What is at issue though is the legitimacy of the claim. In terms of the allowances available to MP's much may be allowed by the letter of the law, but it is incumbent on them to act within the spirit of the law, not stretch a point or indulge in what could probably be called creative accounting. At a time when most people are being bitten hard by the credit crunch, Members of Parliament and in particular those who hold a ministerial portfolio, have a duty to lead by example and exercise a little restraint.