British home secretary to quit over expense scandal: reports

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will quit her post over her involvement in the expense claims scandal, according to national media reports.

The BBC and Britain's Sky News, quoting unnamed sources, reported Tuesday that Smith would quit, but did not specify when. Although Smith will be stepping down from her cabinet role, she will not quit as an MP and will seek re-election, the BBC reported.

Both her office and that of Prime Minister Gordon Brown have declined to comment on the reports.

If news of her resignation is confirmed, Smith would be the highest-ranking official to quit her post over the expenses affair.

The news comes ahead of an anticipated cabinet shuffle, which observers say could come early next week.

The scandal began in early May after British newspaper the Daily Telegraph published inventories of some of the items expensed by parliamentarians as part of their annual housing allowance over the past few years.

One of several expenses British MPs are allotted, the "second home" allowance is currently worth up to $42,000 a year for those with constituencies outside greater London.

Mortgages, pools expensed

Public outrage swelled after it became clear elected representatives claimed tax money for inappropriate expenses such as constructing swimming pools, paying off mortgages and buying luxury furniture. 

Smith in particular has come under fire after it was revealed early in May that she had listed her sister's home in London as her primary residence, rather than the home in her constituency where her family lives. She was also criticized for listing two pornographic films rented by her husband in an expense claim.

The Daily Telegraph reported that some MPs appeared to be "flipping" the designation of their so-called second homes in order, it seems, to claim expenses on more than one property or perhaps avoid paying taxes.

Three MPs from the ruling Labour party have said they would not seek re-election over expenses they claimed.

British chancellor Alistair Darling and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon have also been criticized for claiming expenses on second homes. Both have apologized and returned some of the money claimed.

On May 19, the Speaker of Britain's House of Commons announced his resignation over his handling of the scandal. He had been criticized for ignoring warnings that the expense system needed reforms and tried to block publication of the claims.