Rachel Reeves under investigation by parliamentary watchdog

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Rachel Reeves is under investigation by parliament’s standards watchdog for allegedly failing to properly register a gift, the latest in a series of embarrassing episodes for the UK chancellor.

The probe by the parliamentary commissioner for standards relates to a “registration of interests” by Reeves, according to an update published on the UK parliament’s website on Wednesday. The investigation by Daniel Greenberg was opened on Tuesday, it added.

People close to Reeves said the probe involved tickets to a performance of Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre in London, which she received in December. The tickets were later recorded in the MPs’ register of interests, but not on time, they added.

The investigation was seized on by the Conservatives on the eve of local elections in England, where Labour is facing a strong challenge, notably from Nigel Farage’s rightwing populist Reform UK.

Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies said the probe into Reeves was “yet another embarrassment for a chancellor hooked on handouts” and that the vote on Thursday was “a chance to send her and Labour a message”.

“The scandals, cronyism and relentless squeeze on ordinary families must end,” he added.

In September last year Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Reeves said they would no longer accept gifts of free clothing after growing criticism of the government’s commitment to transparency.

Reeves has previously faced allegations of plagiarism over a book she authored, as well as accusations of embellishing her CV.

The register is meant to set out any financial interest that an MP has, or any benefit they receive, and “MPs must register any change to their registrable interests within 28 days”, according to parliament’s website.

The register shows that Reeves received four tickets for herself and three family members on December 27 2024, which were gifted by the National Theatre and worth £276.

The gift was registered on March 27 this year, beyond the 28-day timeframe, at a time when Reeves was also having to defend her decision to accept free VIP tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter show at the O2 arena in London.

Reeves said then that she thought accepting VIP tickets “was the right thing to do from a security perspective”.

But MPs, including some in the Labour party, questioned the decision. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook publicly criticised her, telling LBC: “I don’t personally think it’s appropriate . . . If I want to go to a concert at the O2, I’ll pay for it.”

The fact of an inquiry by the parliamentary commissioner does not mean that any rules have been broken, but that a potential breach of requirements is being investigated.

The people close to Reeves said the National Theatre tickets were recorded on time in the separate ministers’ register of interests, adding that she had referred herself to Greenberg.

A spokesperson for Reeves said: “The chancellor’s interests are fully declared and up to date.”