Man Watches Porn: UK Politics Melts Down
Jacqui Smith is in trouble again. It appears that she mistakenly claimed for a TV pacakge at her home instead of just her broadband connection. It further appears that her husband watched two — yes, two — porn films which were billed as part of the TV package.
The Sunday Express reported that two films, which cost £5 each, were viewed on 6 and 8 April 2008 at Jacqui Smith’s constituency home in Redditch.BBC News: Smith’s husband sorry over films
Now, on the one hand, we’re arguing about a bill for ten quid. Ten quid, when according to the Guardian from five years ago…
The average MP cost taxpayers £118,000 in allowances and expensesGuardian
As a British citizen and taxpayer, I am a little more concerned about the six-figure expenses per MP, than about a measly ten quid for a couple of dirty films. I’m more concerned about people who claim 60 grand for a ‘second home’ their parents live in, particularly when the distance between Westminster and their constituency is so small it makes for an easy commute.
On the other hand, this sort of thing could well be evidence of a culture among MPs who just ‘whack it all down’ on expenses. I don’t object to paying them expenses — for travel, for hotels, for meals and so on — where those expenses are incurred as part of their job. I do object to the public purse being used to pay for things they don’t need for their job…
And maybe there is a suggestion that this culture does exist –
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said there were rumours “whizzing round Labour’s circles” that there may be a Tory mole in the House of Commons fees office, following several leaks.BBC News: Smith’s husband sorry over films
So what? Why should anyone be in the slightest bit bothered if there is a mole in the House of Commons fees office? Shouldn’t every claim be fair and above board? Shouldn’t anyone, of any party, who puts in a claim for expenses they aren’t entitled to, expect to be held up to public scrutiny? The idea that people are worried about this information being ‘leaked’ suggests that they are worried there is something to hide.
This is precisely why MPs expenses need to be published. While Jacqui’s TV bill might only be a minor proportion of her expenses, it, and particularly the porn films her husband watched, shouldn’t have formed part of her expenses claim. Although I don’t really see how it’s suddenly her husband’s fault. If she’s not claimed for the telly in the first place, his left-handed use of the TV remote would not have been made public.
If every MP felt, when they were handing in their expenses, that there was a chance (say a random sample of 5% per year) that their expenses would be publically published, and in full, then they would maybe only claim for things which they were sure they could justify as a legitimate business expense. It’s a shame our MPs — who are supposed to be working for us after all — aren’t able to arrive at this sort of attitude by themselves, but if they won’t do it of their own accord, maybe it’s time for the public to force it on them…
…which reminds me, I’ve got some more to say about Jury Team later this week as well.
mark says:
March 31st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
tip of the iceberg, innit?
TGRWorzel says:
March 31st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Can’t really blame anybody for watching porn films if his wife is away from home a lot of the time. It’s human nature, particularly if access to them is so easy via Broadband..
I understand from TV that hubby is now sleeping on the sofa. Should be nice and comfy if it is from John Lewis’s!
chartroose says:
March 31st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
The entire world is incredibly corrupt and greedy, isn’t it? Makes me nauseous…
scott says:
March 31st, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I feel sorry for the guy too. Obviously his wife is away so often in her second home that he has to amuse himself. I also agree that the couple of quid is not an issue but just an interesting headline. According to the radio it’s the fact that all of the MP’s employ loads of assistants that racks up the costs.
JackP says:
April 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Update: R.A.D. Stainforth, the last man in Europe, has covered this too, only the absolute swine managed to come up with the alternative title “Jacqui Smith’s husband splashes out on new sofa” which I wish I’d thought of.
Matt says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 am
So we now have Wacky and Wackoff Smith
Heather says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Don’t forget that this is the same husband who was caught writing letters to their local newspaper about what a great MP she is and what a fabulous job she was doing, using his own name – she does not use her married name, so the letters appeared to be from a fawning supporter and not someone on her payroll.
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