Amidst Scandal; Home Sec To Leave Cabinet
Jun 2, 2009 4 Comments ›› Erik Wong
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to leave the Cabinet in the wake of the scandal over MPs’ expenses, according to Sky sources.
Questions have been asked about Ms Smith’s expenses for several months
There is no indication yet that Ms Smith will also step down as MP for Redditch where she has a 2,716 majority.
She has been in the news over her expenses since the beginning of the year when she was criticised for claiming her family home as a second home, while lodging in London with her sister.
And Ms Smith faced humiliation when her husband submitted a receipt to the Commons for watching adult films.
Sky’s political correspondent Joey Jones said: “I have had it from impeccable sources that she has entered into that agreement with the Prime Minister.
“There will be results on Friday from the local elections and results on Sunday from the European elections and these will probably be very bad for the Prime Minister.
“I fully expect that on Monday morning he will be calling people in to speak to them, to try and reshuffle the Cabinet, the entire government, to try and change things and move forward.”
The Daily Telegraph has also alleged the Home Secretary bought her husband a £240 Apple iPhone on her office expenses.
And it reported she billed taxpayers for her accountancy costs and £1,600 for three digital cameras and a camcorder over three years.
Asked what he thought about Ms Smith’s resignation, Chancellor Alistair Darling told Sky News: “All of us are concentrating on making sure that we do everything we can, not just to protect the economy, but, in Jacqui Smith’s case making sure that we have the right legislation to protect people.”
My guess is that before the reshuffle a few more ministers will “let it be known” that they wish to “spend more time with my family”, “concentrate on defending my seat at the next election” and all the other excuses.
And asked if he too would step down, he added: “We want to make sure that in addition to making sure we support our economy, that we help people in this country, we also have the right constitutional framework, so that people feel confident.
“That is what we are concentrating on.”
Sky’s political editor Adam Boulton said: “One gets the impression that behind the scenes ministers are beginning to know what their fate is.
“There is no official confirmation that there will be a reshuffle, let alone when it is.
“The risk for Gordon Brown is it looks like he is not in control of his own government as ministers make public their own intentions.”
News of Ms Smith’s departure came as three other Labour MPs announced they would step down at the next election.
Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes and former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt cite “family reasons” for leaving, while David Chaytor, who has already been suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party said he needed to “explain my errors” over his expenses claims.
