There are certain positions in government in which you can be hidden away, protected by your colleagues. Home Secretary isn’t one of them.
Jacqui Smith has to work out how she is going to handle her return to public life. I’m sure there will be those advising her to carry on as if nothing had happened, to make an announcement on a serious subject and dare the press to question her about her husband’s viewing habits. But this would be a mistake. The press are going to ask her about this scandal pretty much regardless and for her to be questioned about porn movies after an announcement on anti-terrorism would just highlight why so many people think her position is untenable.
Another approach, taken by the Prime Minister this morning, is to claim that this is a “personal matter”.
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