UK Minister Apologizes for Porn Movies on Expenses

Richard Timney, the husband of Britain's Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, outside his home in Redditch,...

Richard Timney, the husband of Britain's Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, outside his home in Redditch, southern England, giving his apologies for claiming adult entertainment on expenses, Sunday March 29, 2009. Britain's Home Secretary apologized Sunday for claiming on parliamentary expenses for the cost of five movies _ including two adult ones _ screened at her home. Jacqui Smith claimed for two unnamed adult movies that were shown on pay-per view television channels at her family home in April 2008. They were rated 18, which means they are not suitable viewing for anyone under that age. The classification is given to movies that depict graphic sex or extreme violence. Smith admitted Sunday that she should not have claimed for any of the movies and said all money would be paid back. "I am sorry that in claiming for my Internet connection, I mistakenly claimed for a television package alongside it," she said in a statement. "As soon as the matter was brought to my attention, I took immediate steps to contact the relevant parliamentary authorities and rectify the situation." (AP Photo/PA)

(AP)

Britain's Home Secretary apologized Sunday for putting five pay-per-view movies on her parliamentary expense account — including two X-rated ones screened by her husband.

Jacqui Smith admitted she should not have claimed any of the movies and said all the money would be paid back. She attributed the mistake to not being careful enough with a service package that included both Internet and TV.

"I am sorry that in claiming for my Internet connection, I mistakenly claimed for a television package alongside it," Smith said in a statement. "As soon as the matter was brought to my attention, I took immediate steps to contact the relevant parliamentary authorities and rectify the situation."

Smith put on her expenses two unnamed adult movies shown on pay-per-view television channels at her family home in April 2008 at 5 pounds ($7) each, as well as three other movies — two viewings of "Ocean's Thirteen" and one of "Surf's Up" at 3.75 pounds ($5) each.

Smith's spokeswoman said the adult movies were X-rated and had scenes of a sexual nature.

"X-rated is not the same as porn," the spokewoman said, refusing to elaborate. She spoke anonymously in line with government policy and would not release the names of the X-rated movies.

British media reported that the adult movies were watched by Smith's husband Richard Timney — who said he was sorry for any embarrassment he caused his wife.

"I can fully understand why people might be angry and offended by this," he said. "Quite obviously a claim should never have been made for these films, and as you know that money is being paid back."

Smith is already under investigation by the parliamentary ethics watchdog over the thousands of pounds (dollars) in expenses she has claimed on her home in Redditch, in central England. She says that house is her second home — with her sister's home in London being her main residence.

The government backed Smith on Sunday.