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Smith asked to explain expenses Smith asked to explain expenses
(about 1 hour later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she will "answer any questions" Parliament's sleaze watchdog has about her £116,000 second home expenses.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she will "answer any questions" Parliament's sleaze watchdog has about her £116,000 second home expenses.
Standards Commissioner John Lyon has accepted a complaint against Ms Smith, which could lead to a full inquiry.Standards Commissioner John Lyon has accepted a complaint against Ms Smith, which could lead to a full inquiry.
He has so far resisted calls for a probe after it emerged Ms Smith claims second home allowance on the house she shares with her husband and family.He has so far resisted calls for a probe after it emerged Ms Smith claims second home allowance on the house she shares with her husband and family.
Ms Smith told BBC News she had "followed the rules".Ms Smith told BBC News she had "followed the rules".
Mr Lyon has previously turned down two requests to investigate Ms Smith over her decision to designate her sister's house in London - where she stays when she is in the capital - as her main home.Mr Lyon has previously turned down two requests to investigate Ms Smith over her decision to designate her sister's house in London - where she stays when she is in the capital - as her main home.
The decision has enabled her to claim at least £116,000 in second home allowances on her constituency home in Redditch, Worcestershire, since becoming an MP.The decision has enabled her to claim at least £116,000 in second home allowances on her constituency home in Redditch, Worcestershire, since becoming an MP.
'Neighbours' complaint''Neighbours' complaint'
A spokesman for Mr Lyon said: "He has accepted a complaint against Jacqui Smith and is following the procedure laid down for him."A spokesman for Mr Lyon said: "He has accepted a complaint against Jacqui Smith and is following the procedure laid down for him."
Ms Smith told BBC News she would "respond to any questions the independent commissioner asks me".Ms Smith told BBC News she would "respond to any questions the independent commissioner asks me".
But she added: "I followed advice the I was given and I have followed the rules".But she added: "I followed advice the I was given and I have followed the rules".
According to the London Evening Standard, the latest complaint comes from Ms Smith's neighbours in London, Dominic and Jessica Taplin. The latest complaint comes from Ms Smith's neighbours in London, Dominic and Jessica Taplin, the Home Office has confirmed.
The couple claimed in an article in the Mail on Sunday at the weekend that Ms Smith is often at her London address for just two days a week and rarely spends Sunday night there. The couple told The Mail on Sunday that Ms Smith is often at her London address for just two days a week and rarely spends Sunday night there.
They told the newspaper it was easy to tell when Ms Smith is at home as her security staff were on duty in the street.They told the newspaper it was easy to tell when Ms Smith is at home as her security staff were on duty in the street.
Mrs Taplin said: "When I read that she says she spends most of the week here, I thought, 'That is a fabrication'."Mrs Taplin said: "When I read that she says she spends most of the week here, I thought, 'That is a fabrication'."
'Public interest'
After speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Mr and Mrs Taplin are understood to have written to the Commons fees office, which looks after MPs' expenses.After speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Mr and Mrs Taplin are understood to have written to the Commons fees office, which looks after MPs' expenses.
The couple initially contacted Conservative leader David Cameron by e-mail to bring their concerns to his attention, Tory sources have confirmed.
Mr Cameron's office told the Taplins it was not a matter for the Tories but suggested they might wish to contact a newspaper as this would be "in the public interest".
The BBC has learned that another neighbour who lives near Ms Smith's London residence says she is frequently there for much of the working week and on Sunday evenings.
Last week, Ms Smith's spokesman said she arrives at her sister's house on "Sunday or Monday" and usually leaves on Thursday.Last week, Ms Smith's spokesman said she arrives at her sister's house on "Sunday or Monday" and usually leaves on Thursday.
Mr Lyon is now reported to have asked Ms Smith to set out exactly how much time she spends at the address in south-east London.Mr Lyon is now reported to have asked Ms Smith to set out exactly how much time she spends at the address in south-east London.
Ms Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that she had written approval from the Commons fees office for her arrangements.Ms Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that she had written approval from the Commons fees office for her arrangements.
Sources indicate the home secretary will strongly contest the claims she did not spend most of her time at her London home and that she will be replying in detail to the request from the Commissioner for a response to the complaint.