2. LETTER
TO
THE
COMMISSIONER
FROM
MRS
JESSICA
TAPLIN,
16 FEBRUARY
2009
My husband and I wish to make a complaint about Ms
Jacqui Smith's claim that her sister's house on […] Road
is her primary residence. And ask that this claim be investigated
to the full extent by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
I have previously sent an email to the Houses of Parliament stating
this but have not heard back.
As I understand it under the rules, the main residence
is where the MP "spends
more nights than any other". Since
Ms Smith moved into the street last April it has been very clear
to all living on the road that she resides there for less than
half the week. Like clockwork she stays on Monday, Tuesday &
Wednesday nights whilst Parliament is in session.
Neither my husband or myself can remember an occasion
when there were police positioned outside the house on a Sunday
night or Monday morning, apart from this morning (16th February)
when they were outside the house. As there are always police stationed
outside the property when she is in residence this is a very clear
and simple indicator.
During the summer and at Christmas, and other times
Parliament are in recess the policemen disappear altogether for
months and weeks respectively at a time, again a very simple indication
of her not residing at the property.
Having done the simple maths based on 3 days a week
minus at least a full month at summer and at least 2 weeks complete
absence over the Christmas period—there seems to me to be
no confusion as to the simple truth of the matter since moving
into the property Ms Smith does not as the guidance states
is required "spends
more nights than any other" at the
address. And as such her claim that this is her primary residence
should be investigated further. Surely a very simple and open
way of this being done is to look at the police log for the period
from April 2008 - as this will provide the exact information as
to what is the truth of the situation.
When Ms Smith started staying on the road, my husband
& I felt this was a very positive reflection on her—but
to now find out that in reality the nature of the whole situation
is based on untruths, her office's claim cited in the papers is
misleading at the very least, shines a very poor light on someone
who should as Home Secretary be setting the nation a good example.
16 February 2009
| 
