Sir Keir Starmer says he has full confidence in Rachel Reeves after questions had been raised about inaccuracies in her CV and her use of bills in a earlier job.
The chancellor has been accused by former staff of being concerned in an “expenses scandal” whereas working at Halifax Financial institution of Scotland (HBOS) from 2006 to 2009, in response to the BBC.
She has additionally been accused of claiming she labored for the Financial institution of England for longer than she did.
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Downing Road mentioned the PM believes he can belief the chancellor.
Ms Reeves’ spokesperson mentioned she was “not aware of an investigation, nor was she interviewed”. Her lawyer has denied the allegations.
Jayne Wayper, former HR enterprise companion for HBOS, mentioned: “I do not recognise any of the accusations or claims that have been made against Rachel Reeves.”
One ex-colleague instructed the BBC she almost bought sacked after an investigation into three senior managers accused of “signing off each other’s expenses”.
This included spending a whole bunch of kilos on purses, fragrance, earrings and wine for colleagues, together with one reward for her boss.
A whistleblower mentioned there was additionally concern about her spending on taxis and on a Christmas social gathering.
In a Fb group of former HBOS staff seen by the BBC, a number of folks referred to Ms Reeves being investigated over her bills spending.
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Pic: Reuters
Sir Keir’s official spokesman mentioned it was “correct” the prime minister has “no concerns whatsoever” in regards to the chancellor’s conduct and has confidence in her.
He additionally mentioned: “I can’t speak to her time prior to government.
“The PM works hand in hand and has full religion within the chancellor.”
Sir Keir later said she has “handled any points that come up” from questions about her career before becoming an MP.
Ms Weyper, former HBOS’ HR, said there was an “in depth oversight” of all expense policies, receipts were signed off by line managers and in her role she “would have been made conscious of any investigation which concluded”.
“I can not communicate for the motivations behind those that have been making these claims about Rachel Reeves. Nonetheless, I don’t recognise them and perceive she left the financial institution on good phrases,” she added.
Reeves was ‘not aware of an investigation’
A spokesperson for Ms Reeves said: “Rachel is pleased with the work she did at HBOS and the groups that she led, it’s 16 years since she left the financial institution and the primary time she was made conscious of those claims was when approached by journalists.
“She was not aware of an investigation nor was she interviewed, and she did not face any disciplinary action on this or any other matters. All expenses were submitted and signed off in the proper way.
“A number of former colleagues from her time on the financial institution, together with HBOS’ former HR enterprise companion, have corroborated this account.
“Rachel left HBOS in 2009 on good terms.”
Ms Reeves’s lawyer whereas she was leaving HBOS mentioned she left HBOS with a “standard-style agreement” after a “mutually agreed exit was made during the bank’s restructure”.
David Sorensen, a managing companion at Morrish Solicitors, added: “My clear understanding at the time was that my client, who was in a senior role, left on good terms when HBOS plc was acquired in 2009, as evidenced by the payments made to her, the retention of her company car and other benefits for a six-month period, and a favourable reference.
“Completely no allegations of wrongdoing or misconduct had been talked about by the HBOS HR workforce throughout this course of.”
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LinkedIn dates questioned
Questions have additionally been raised about Ms Reeves’ on-line CV, as her LinkedIn profile mentioned she stayed on the Financial institution of England 9 months longer than she really did, the BBC has reported.
She has publicly mentioned she spent a decade there, however her LinkedIn profile claimed she labored on the financial institution from September 2000 to December 2006.
Nonetheless, she is known to have left by March 2006, when she began working at HBOS.
Which means she spent 5 and a half years on the financial institution, together with almost a yr finding out.
Ms Reeves’ spokesman, in a remark given to the BBC, mentioned the dates on her LinkedIn had been inaccurate and blamed an administrative error by her workforce.
They mentioned the chancellor had not seen it earlier than it was revealed.
The chancellor’s LinkedIn profile has now been up to date to mirror she left the financial institution in March 2006.
Ms Reeves has repeatedly mentioned she spent 10 years on the Financial institution of England, citing her time as an economist there as why she could be trusted with the UK’s funds.
