PM responds to new report claiming chancellor misused expenses and included inaccuracies on her CV. Rachel Reeves has “dealt with any issues that arise” from her career in retail banking, Keir Starmer has said, after claims the chancellor misused expenses and made inaccuracies on her CV. Reeves’s career history has been called into question after a BBC investigation revealed she worked at the Bank of England nine months shorter than she claimed and that her use of expenses while working at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) was subject to an internal investigation.
A whistleblower claimed Reeves and two other managers’ use of expenses was excessive, telling the BBC they had a “very cavalier attitude regarding the budget in the department”. Reeves’s spokesperson said the chancellor had never been questioned about her expenses while she was at the bank – and believed that all the items she put through on expenses were within the company rules. Documents seen by the BBC contained evidence about the three managers’ use of expenses, with spending on gifts, taxis, including for each other, and Reeves buying birthday presents for colleagues with the bank’s money. The whistleblower’s report claimed she spent £152 on a handbag and perfume as a present for her boss using the bank’s money.
Jayne Wayper, a former HR business partner for HBOS, said: “I do not recognise any of the accusations or claims that have been made against Rachel Reeves. “In my role, I would have been made aware of any investigation which concluded there was a case to answer. I would have been required to organise and oversee a disciplinary process. This did not happen. Under the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules, any such accusations would have to have been properly investigated.
“Under the company’s then expenses policy, birthday gifts and Christmas presents could be purchased using motivation cards. Indeed, staff were encouraged to do so for their teams.”. David Sorensen, managing partner at Morrish Solicitors LLP, who acted on behalf of Reeves when she left HBOS in 2009, added: “My clear understanding at the time was that my client, who was in a senior role, left on good terms when HBOS plc was acquired in 2009, as evidenced by the payments made to her, her retention of her company car and other benefits for a six-month period, and a favourable reference.
“Absolutely no allegations of wrongdoing or misconduct were mentioned by the HBOS HR team during this process.’’. On Reeves’ LinkedIn profile page, it was outlined that Reeves had worked at the Bank of England for just more than six years, from September 2000 to December 2006. However this was updated once Reeves was approached by the BBC, and changed to September 2000 until March 2006. On leaving her job in March 2006, Reeves started working for Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in West Yorkshire.
A spokesperson for Reeves acknowledged the dates on her LinkedIn profile were inaccurate and said it was due to an administrative error by the team. The prime minister was asked if he felt comfortable that “she exaggerated her relevant experience”. Starmer said: “Rachel Reeves has dealt with any issues that arise. “She delivered a really important budget for the country that balanced the books, gave us stability, that is beginning to see those interest rates come down, those mortgages coming down as a result; beginning to see some of the growth we need.
Sign up to First Edition. Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters. after newsletter promotion. “She is determined that we go further with that. “So she can deal with the issues that arise out of this report many years ago. “What I am concerned with – what she is concerned with, we get up every day to do – is to make sure that the economy in our country, which was badly damaged under the last government, is revived and we have growth, and that is felt in the pockets of working people across the country [so] they feel better off.”.
Downing Street also said the prime minister believe Reeves has integrity and he has no concerns about her conduct when asked if she disclosed that there had been an investigation into her expenses. The prime minister’s spokesperson said: “Obviously the Chancellor, like every Cabinet member, has been through that process. The process is governed by the independent adviser. Obviously I can’t get into detail.”.
