AN official investigation has been launched into how two prison inmates, supposed to be working on a community project, ended up decorating the luxury home of Jacqui Smith, the former Labour Home Secretary.

The Prison Service in England, which has launched the probe, said the use of the prisoners was made without consultation with the jail, HMP Hewell in Redditch in Worcestershire, or with the Ministry of Justice. The community project run by a local charity has been suspended as the inquiry takes place.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said the decision to allow the prisoners to paint Ms Smith's home was "a mistake" and added: "Offenders should work on projects which help the whole community."

In 2009, Ms Smith stepped down as home secretary after the revelation that she had claimed expenses for pornographic films watched by her husband. Last year in the General Election, she lost her seat as MP for Redditch to Conservative Karen Lumley.

The former Secretary of State, who is now seeking to establish a media career, yesterday defended herself during a stint as a stand-in radio presenter. She explained the two inmates were doing some work experience with the community project as they came to the end of their sentences.

She said: "One day, when actually they didn't have anything else on, they did come to my house and do three hours-worth of painting for which me and my husband made a donation to the community group."