huffingtonpost - 10 days ago

Keir Starmer and Rachel ReevesKeir Starmer’s spokesperson repeatedly refused to say if Rachel Reeves had broken the ministerial code after she admitted to breaking property rules.Following reporting from the Daily Mail, the chancellor wrote to the prime minister on Wednesday night confirming she had failed to obtain a “selective” rental licence for her family home in London.She apologised for the “inadvertent error”, and claimed she had immediately applied for a licence – actions which Starmer declared were a “sufficient resolution” to such errors, according to the Ministerial Code.Speaking just a month after his deputy prime minister Angela Rayner had to resign after not paying enough stamp duty, Starmer said he was happy the “matter can be drawn to a close” following a consultation with his ethics adviser who decided there was no need for an investigation.But No.10 is facing intense questioning over the extent to which the mistake was probed by the PM and his ethics adviser.Speaking to journalists on Thursday morning, a spokesperson for Starmer repeatedly refused to say if the standards rules had been breached.He also refused to say what evidence independent watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus had looked at before coming to his conclusion that there was no need for a further probe last night.The prime minister’s spokesperson was also asked if the prime minister, a former director of public prosecutions, thought ignorance of the law was a defence. He said Starmer did not.Asked why Reeves’ response was therefore acceptable to the PM, he said: “Regrettably she was not aware the licence was necessary, did not obtain the licence before renting the property out.“She’s explained it was inadvertent mistake and as soon as it was brought to her attention, she took immediate action and applied for the licence… the Ministerial Code makes clear that in certain circumstances, in consultation with the independent adviser, an apology is a sufficient resolution.”No.10 also rejected suggestions Reeves had got away “scot-free” after a “stitch-up” from the government meant to avoid spooking the bond markets.He replied: “I don’t accept that framing at all.”The spokesperson was also asked if the PM stood by his 2022 statement that “lawbreakers cannot be lawmakers” – made at the height of the partygate scandal against Boris Johnson.Starmer’s representative said: “Yes.”Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch has called for an investigation into Reeves’ conduct.She said: “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.”The revelation comes just a month before Reeves is set to unveil her Budget, where there are fears Labour will breach their manifesto pledges not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT in order to fill the fiscal black hole in the public finances.Related...Fresh Headache For Starmer As Reeves Admits To Unlawfully Renting Out Home Without Correct Licence We Need Her Back : Wes Streeting Calls For Angela Rayner To Return To GovernmentAngela Rayner Quits Cabinet After Probe Into Stamp Duty Row

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