Later today, emails sent by Rachel Reeves’s husband will be made public as part of the ongoing controversy surrounding their rented family residence.
The issue arose after the Chancellor acknowledged an oversight in not acquiring a license to rent out their property in Dulwich. The couple, who jointly own the house in south London, listed it for sale upon moving into No11 Downing Street following the Labour Party’s election win last summer.
A spokesperson from No 10 stated this afternoon that new information came to light following a review of emails exchanged by the Chancellor’s spouse. This information has been forwarded to the Prime Minister and his independent adviser.
Despite the developments, Downing Street affirmed the Prime Minister’s continued confidence in the Chancellor and assured that Ms. Reeves would present the Budget on November 26. The show of support came after Sir Keir Starmer backed Ms. Reeves on Wednesday night following her apology for unintentionally renting out their family property without the necessary license.
The Chancellor informed the PM that they were unaware of the requirement for a “selective license” in their Southwark neighborhood in London, where they leased their property for £3,200 per month after moving to No 11.
Southwark Council mandates individuals renting out properties in specific zones to obtain a license beforehand.
In her statement, Ms. Reeves expressed regret for the oversight, stating that they were unaware of the licensing requirement before renting out the property. She promptly applied for the license upon being informed of the error and apologized sincerely, offering to address any queries.
Sir Keir Starmer indicated his satisfaction that the issue could be resolved after consulting his ethics adviser. He stated, “Following consultation with my Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, further investigation is deemed unnecessary given your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate license for your rental property, your prompt corrective measures, and your apology.”
The PM added, “While it is unfortunate that the necessary license was not obtained earlier, I appreciate your swift actions today to rectify the situation. Your handling of this matter demonstrates the urgency and gravity it necessitates.”
Local authorities possess the authority to mandate individuals renting out residences in specific regions to obtain a selective license. This measure is intended to safeguard tenants from substandard living conditions and may be enforced due to concerns regarding ongoing antisocial behavior issues in rental properties.
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