Tories have called Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ dismissal.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asserted that Chancellor Rachel Reeves must be sacked if she broke any laws in failing to get a licence to rent out her south London home.
Badenoch told reporters after a speech on London’s South Bank, “I think that the more I hear about the story, the more questions there are to answer,” about Reeves’ breach of Southwark council’s rules.
The rules about the licence originated in a 2004 law brought in by Labour, Badenoch said, adding that Reeves had “tweeted about how it should be extended, and yet she wasn’t following it herself.”
“And it’s all very well blaming someone else – the lettings agent didn’t do this, or that she is the Chancellor. She needs to be on top of her paperwork. She was aware of this legislation. I think there should be an investigation.
“But the bottom line is that Keir Starmer said again and again, that lawbreakers shouldn’t be lawmakers. So if she’s broken the law, then he should apply his own rules to her.”
Kemi Badenoch
A Tory Spokesperson said that Reeves has broken the law and broken the ministerial code, but UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer “is too weak to sack her.”
The Spokesperson noted that while the Chancellor is planning tax hikes for millions of families across the country at the budget, “it’s one rule for the Chancellor and another for everyone else.”
“Keir Starmer pledged to restore integrity to politics, but now he’s laughing in the face of the British public. He should grow a backbone and sack the Chancellor now. This is not over.”
Tory Spokesperson
The regulations of Southwark council stipulate that private landlords in certain designated areas of the south London borough need to obtain a “selective licence” before they can rent out their property.
Reeves admitted having rented out her home after moving into Downing Street following the election without the £945 licence required by Southwark.
A Spokesperson said that the Chancellor had used a letting agency to manage the process, and that while she should have been aware of the obligation to buy the licence, she had not been advised that she needed one. “She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action and has applied for the licence,” Reeves’ Spokesperson said.
In an exchange of letters with Starmer released on Wednesday night, Reeves told the Prime Minister that it was “an inadvertent mistake.”
“As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence. I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.”
Rachel Reeves
Starmer replied by saying the matter was “regrettable” but said he believed Reeves was “treating this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.”
Starmer Rules Out Investigation After Reeves Admits Rental Rules ‘Mistake’
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer dismissed calls for an investigation into Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she apologised for breaking housing rules when renting out her family home.
In the letter to the Prime Minister in which Reeves admitted “sincerely” apologised for her “inadvertent error,” Starmer remarked that he was happy the “matter can be drawn to a close” after consulting his independent ethics adviser, who has decided not to launch an investigation.
Starmer said that the public expected “the highest standards” and confirmed that he had consulted with Sir Laurie Magnus, the ethics adviser whose findings have previously felled two Ministers.
Starmer stated that Sir Laurie had judged that further investigation was not necessary given Reeves’ swift action and apology.
Nonetheless, the controversy could be a gift to Badenoch and other opposition politicians, who were already targeting Reeves before next month’s budget.
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