UK PM rocked as another minister resigns over expenses scandal

The pressure on British prime minister Gordon Brown intensified as the continuing row over lawmaker’s expenses claimed a second cabinet minister in as many days.

Communities secretary Hazel Blears announced her resignation hours ahead of the weekly prime minister’s questions session in the House of Commons, saying she wanted to “return to the grassroots where I began, to help the Labour Party to reconnect with the people.”

Blears had come under fire after it was revealed that she did not pay the appropriate tax when selling a property on which she had claimed the parliamentary second homes allowance. She later paid back £13,000.

Opposition leader David Cameron said the prime minister had “lost command over his cabinet.” A day earlier, home secretary Jacqui Smith announced she was would be standing down during the next cabinet reshuffle, which is expected to take place after Thursday’s European and English local polls.

Smith had become embroiled in the row after listing her sister’s London home as her main residence. In March, her husband, was forced to issue a public apology after he admitted paying for adult movies with taxpayers’ money.