huffingtonpost - 2 days ago

Rachel Reeves speaks at a business reception at Lancaster House in central London, with attendees including government ministers from both the UK and US and representatives from major UK companies, as part of the second state visit to the UK by US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.(Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP, Pool)Rachel Reeves has admitted to not obtaining the correct licence before renting out her family home.Following reports from the Daily Mail, the chancellor wrote to the prime minister last night confirming that she “regrettably” made the error when letting out her family home in Dulwich Wood, Southwark.She said her family has taken “immediate action” to remedy the “inadvertent mistake” and applied for the licence after the issue was brought to her attention.In a letter shared by Downing Street, the chancellor said she had also spoken to the independent adviser on ministerial standards and the parliamentary commission for standards has been made aware.The issue raises fresh questions about Starmer’s government – which he vowed would be one of “honesty and integrity” – considering only last month his then-deputy prime minister Angela Rayner had to resign for underpaying stamp duty when purchasing a new home.But, in a letter where both her name and his sign-off were hand-written, Starmer made it clear that Reeves was effectively off the hook after they held a meeting last night.“The public rightly expects the highest standards of conduct from the politicians who serve them,” he said.“The Ministerial Code sets out these values and I have made it a core tenet of this government’s mission to uphold them. I have this evening consulted with my independent adviser on ministerial standards.“He has advised me that in relation to your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence for your rental property – and in light of your prompt action to rectify the position, including your apology – further investigation is not necessary.”He said this apology is “a sufficient resolution”, adding: “I am satisfied that this matter can be drawn to a close following your apology.“It is regrettable that the appropriate licence was not sought sooner and it is right that you have taken the appropriate steps today to address this. It is clear to me that you are treating this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.”Naturally, opposition parties were quick to capitalise on Reeves’ error, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch calling for a “full investigation”.She said: “The prime minister must launch a full investigation. He once said ‘lawmakers can’t be lawbreakers’. If, as it appears, the chancellor has broken the law, then he will have to show he has the backbone to act.”Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper said: “The chancellor is meant to be delivering growth but the only thing she appears to be growing is the government’s list of scandals. This latest crisis needs investigating swiftly and thoroughly. “Just weeks before the Budget, this risks seriously undermining confidence in this government and its ability to focus on the urgent tasks at hand.”It remains to be seen if the parliamentary commissioner for standards with open his own investigation.Related...Starmer Refuses To Say If Labour Will Honour Promises Not To Increase Taxes For Working People Keir Starmer Urged To Show True Climate Leadership Amid UN s New 1.5C WarningWhy Did Starmer Agree To A New Deal With Turkey Despite Concerns Over Russian Oil?

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