I read with interest in “The Scotsman” that Jacqui Smith, the disgraced ex-Home Secretary, has been order to apologise to the House of Commons for her “clear” breach of the rules on second homes.
So just a few points:
We could all see it was a “clear” breach of the rules so why couldn’t she, or indeed her boss, who stood by her?
If she couldn’t see that that was a “clear” breach of the rules, was she really the right person to be interpreting and framing laws that affect millions of people, especially in England, but also in other parts of the UK? I mean, “clearly”, she’s none too bright.
If someone from a sink estate, claiming some sort of social security housing benefit for a home that he or she didn’t live in (and it does happen), would he or she simply be asked to come along and say a few words of apology? Or would he, or she, be marched down the nick pretty damned sharpish?
Why is it appropriate to apologise to the House of Commons. It wasn’t their money she was stealing. It was ours.
The rest of the story in the Scotsman goes on to talk about the Legg letters and how some members may feel disinclined to repay monies they ill came by. You really, really couldn’t make that one up. It’s worth a read.
