HOME secretary Jacqui Smith claimed £22,948 in 2007/08 in taxpayer-funded allowances for her second home, according to official figures.

Ms Smith was already battling embarrassment after it emerged that money from the public paid for two adult films watched by her husband.

Figures released by the House of Commons showed she was paid the sum in additional costs allowance (ACA), which is designed to cover the cost of working in both London and a constituency.

Ms Smith is being investigated because of complaints about her decision to designate her sister’s house, in south London, where she stays, as her “main” home, allowing her to claim back the costs of running her family house in her Redditch constituency.

Her overall expenses claim, including travel, office and staffing costs, was £157,631.

That sum included 25 journeys for her husband, Richard Timney, who is employed as her Parliamentary assistant, at a cost to the public purse of £2,531.

The figures released by the House of Commons authorities showed that Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed £124,454 in expenses and allowances in 2007/08, while Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £148,829.

MPs are permitted to claim a range of expenses, including a maximum of £23,083 for the additional costs allowance (ACA), which covers the cost of staying away from their main residence to carry out Parliamentary duties.

Ms Smith has apologised for the claim which she made for the cost of watching TV – including the pay-per-view adult films – at her family home and has paid the money back.

She has been given strong support by the Prime Minister, who said: “The Home Secretary is doing a great job and I do not think this issue should be allowed to detract from everything she is doing.

“She has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify the mistake that was made, as soon as she became aware of it.”