‘No one raised concerns with me’: Chancellor Rachel Reeves responds to expenses allegations
Rachel Reeves says “no one ever raised any concerns” about her expenses when she worked at HBOS, as she responds to reports she was investigated while working for the bank.
The chancellor was accused by former employees of being involved in an “expenses scandal” while working at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) from 2006 to 2009, according to the BBC.
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Speaking for the first time in public after the reports, Ms Reeves said: “No one ever raised any concerns about my expenses when I worked for Halifax Bank of Scotland.
“I submitted, had processed and had my expenses signed off in the proper way as you would expect, and no issues were ever raised during my time at Halifax Bank of Scotland.”
She added: “I was never questioned, never asked to pay back any expenses.”
Yesterday, Ms Reeves‘ spokesperson said she was “not aware of an investigation, nor was she interviewed”. Her lawyer has denied the allegations.
Jayne Wayper, former HR business partner for HBOS, said: “I do not recognise any of the accusations or claims that have been made against Rachel Reeves.”
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Ms Reeves added that people will judge her on how well she does at her job as chancellor, rather than on her LinkedIn profile.
Her career history was changed following reports from the BBC that the amount of time that she claimed to have worked for the Bank of England was inaccurate.
The chancellor said: “I worked as an economist at the Bank of England between 2000 and 2006 before going to work in financial services for Halifax Bank of Scotland.
“And I’m really proud of the work that I did before I became an MP, but in the end, people are going to judge me on the job that I’m doing now as chancellor of the exchequer to grow the economy and put more money in the pockets of working people.”
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Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch had earlier said that Ms Reeves had “very, very serious questions to answer” over the reports.
She said: “Keir Starmer said that he was bringing in a government of integrity.
“He’s lost one minister due to corruption allegations. Another one has had to resign because of fraud that was committed while she was working – and this is pretty close to that.”
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Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire in Bicester, the fire service announced.
The firefighters died in the inferno at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, which now hosts historic motoring and aviation centre Bicester Motion.
The local fire service was called to the scene at 6.39pm last night.
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters. Families have been informed and are being supported.
“Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.
“We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.”
Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently being treated in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement.
Footage shared on social media shows plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and flames swallowing the large building.
Clouds of smoke from the fire were billowing into the sky last night. Pic:@kajer87X
Two firefighters and one other person died in the fire, while two more firefighters were seriously injured. Pic: PA
Ten fire crews attended the incident, with four remaining at the scene. The fire is still ongoing, but it is considered under control.
Local residents were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows shut, but this advice has now been lifted.
Bicester Motion said in a statement it would be closed today and over the weekend.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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