Porn Expense Claim More Sleaze

Jacqui Smith's husband was caught with his pants down, after she "mistakenly" claimed for a pay-per-view TV package while billing for an internet connection. This doesn't work out to a lot of money, but does sum up the sleazy, money grabbing, double standards we're getting used to hearing about. (read more)

In light of these increasing “claims”, I thought I'll familiarise myself with the Green book, which provides guidelines about parliamentary salaries, allowances and pensions. The "principles" section drew my attention:

3.3.1. Principles
You must ensure that arrangements for your ACA claims are above reproach and that there can be no grounds for a suggestion of misuse of public money. Members should bear in mind the need to obtain value for money from accommodation, goods or services funded from the allowances.
3.3.2.
You must avoid any arrangement which may give rise to an accusation that you are, or someone close to you is, obtaining an immediate benefit or subsidy from public funds or that public money is being diverted for the benefit of a political organisation.
3.3.3.
ACA must not be used to meet the costs of a mortgage or for leasing accommodation from:

• yourself;

• a close business associate or any organisation or company in which you - or a partner or family member - have an interest; or
  

• a partner or family member.

It appears Mrs Smith read it to, hence her doing the "right thing for her family". These MP's claims are only within the rules because they've been worked to their advantage. Brown's ability to turn his blind eye to anything that's greedy and solely self interested, is becoming unparalleled. Never mind how much it undermines any creditably MP's have, drowning us all in rising levels of hypocrisy and that's really what we need right now, the man's a born leader.