Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing allegations related to an “expenses scandal” during her tenure at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed full confidence in her.
According to a BBC report, former colleagues claim Reeves was investigated for her role in approving expenses alongside two other senior managers. Some ex-employees in a private Facebook group also referenced an inquiry into her expenses while at the bank.
Despite these claims, Downing Street has confirmed that the prime minister has no doubts about her integrity. His official spokesperson stated, “The PM works closely with the chancellor and has complete faith in her.” When questioned, Starmer emphasized that Reeves had already addressed any concerns related to her past career.
Legal Denial and Departure from HBOS
Reeves’ legal representative has strongly refuted the allegations. David Sorensen, managing partner at Morrish Solicitors, clarified that she left HBOS under a “mutually agreed exit” as part of the bank’s restructuring when it was acquired in 2009.
Sorensen stated, “She departed on good terms, evidenced by the benefits extended to her, including the retention of her company car for six months, continued payments, and a positive reference. No accusations of misconduct were made during the process.”
Discrepancies in LinkedIn Profile
Further scrutiny has emerged over inconsistencies in Reeves’ professional timeline. Her LinkedIn profile previously stated she worked at the Bank of England from September 2000 to December 2006, but records indicate she had already joined HBOS by March 2006.
This discrepancy led to questions about her claim of spending a decade at the Bank of England. Reeves’ team has since acknowledged the inaccuracy, attributing it to an administrative oversight. Her profile has now been corrected to reflect the actual dates.
Despite these concerns, Reeves continues to highlight her experience as an economist at the Bank of England as a testament to her financial expertise and credibility in managing the UK’s economy.
