Sir Keir Starmer has disregarded Conservative calls for to sack chancellor Rachel Reeves after she admitted renting out her London house with out the correct licence.
In a letter to the prime minister, Reeves stated she “sincerely apologised” for failing to acquire the selective licence required to lease out her Southwark property, calling it an “inadvertent error.”
Starmer, after consulting his unbiased ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, stated he was glad the matter was resolved and confirmed no investigation will likely be launched.
“I’m glad this matter may be drawn to an in depth,” Starmer wrote, including that the general public “expects the best requirements.”
Opposition events, nevertheless, are refusing to let the problem relaxation. The Conservatives have accused Reeves of breaking the legislation and the ministerial code, claiming Starmer is “too weak” to behave.
A Conservative spokesperson stated: “Keir Starmer pledged to revive integrity to politics, however now he’s laughing within the face of the British public. He ought to develop a spine and sack the chancellor now.”
Daisy Cooper, deputy chief of the Liberal Democrats, added: “The chancellor is supposed to be delivering progress, however the one factor she seems to be rising is the federal government’s record of scandals.”
The row follows revelations – first reported by the Each day Mail – that Reeves rented out her household house for £3,200 a month after transferring into Downing Avenue final summer season. The property lies in an space the place Southwark Council requires landlords to carry a selective licence.
Reeves insists she relied on her letting company, which they are saying didn’t warn her that the licence was required. Southwark Council’s personal web site makes the stakes clear:
“You may be prosecuted or fined if you happen to’re a landlord or managing agent for a property that wants a licence and don’t get one.”
Each Reeves and the company may, in idea, face a vast high quality if the council pursues the case.
Is Rachel Reeves or her letting company at fault for unlicensed rental property?
