Mr John Lyon CB,CommissionerOffice of the Parliamentary Commissioner for StandardsHouse of CommonsLondon SW1A 0AA Sent by Fax to : 020 7219 04909 February, 2009RE : Jacqui Smith Parliamentary Second-Home AllowanceDear Mr Lyon,No doubt you will have seen the article in yesterday's

Mail on Sunday

newspaperdetailing Jacqui Smith MP's living arrangements.It would seem that she is lodging withher sister in London and claiming an allowance for a "second home" which is in fact herprimary residence.Her family live in the so-called second home, and she spends mostnights in that home according to her aide.It would seem that she does not in fact evenown a second home of her own, yet she claims a second home allowance. You will recall that some years ago Michael Trend MP made false claims for allowancesfor staying in London and as a result had to pay back the money claimed (£90,277) andstood downas an MPin disgrace.There appears to be

prima facie

a case to answer in respect ofJacqui Smith'sarrangements.We urge you to commence an investigation into this affair as soon aspossible. Furthermore please consider whether there is a possible criminal case to bereferred to the police for investigationunder the sections of the Fraud Act which dealwith the offence of "obtaining by deception".We would be grateful if you could acknowledge receipt of this letter.Thanks inadvance for your cooperation.