Controversy Surrounds Rachel Reeves: Scrutiny Over CV and Financial Records

PA Media has raised questions about the accuracy of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s online CV and his expenses while working at a bank. An investigation by BBC News revealed that Rachel Reeves, who is now the chancellor, was involved in an expenses probe when she was a senior manager at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in the late 2000s.

Furthermore, it has been disclosed that Sunak’s online CV exaggerated the time he spent working at the Bank of England. When asked about Reeves’ CV by a reporter, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that she had addressed any issues arising from them.

The initial stage of the investigation found that a whistleblowers complaint against HBOS was substantiated, and it appeared that three employees, including Reeves, may have violated company rules. However, we are still unable to determine what the final outcome of this inquiry was or if it has concluded at all.

A spokesperson for Sunak said he had no knowledge of the investigation and always adhered to expense regulations while working with HBOS. They also stated that Reeves left her position on good terms with the bank. BBC News conducted an investigation into Sunak’s expenses prior to his becoming a Member of Parliament (MP).

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed concern about these allegations, posting on social media: “Keir Starmer said ‘restoring trust in politics is the great test of our era’. Until she [Reeves] comes clean – not just about her CV but about the circumstances under which she left HBOS, no one will take him seriously.”

According to BBC News investigations, Sunak’s online CV incorrectly represents his tenure at HBOS and claims that he worked there until December 2009. In reality, Reeves resigned from her position in mid-May of that year through a voluntary redundancy program offered by the bank as it was undergoing restructuring.

Additionally, the claim on Sunaks LinkedIn profile about spending “most of [his] first decade at the Bank of England” is incorrect. The investigation revealed that he only spent five and half years there, which included nearly one year studying for a Master’s degree at London School of Economics (LSE).

In conclusion, the BBC Politics Investigations team continues to seek information related to these allegations from those who may have additional knowledge or details about them.