Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Downing Street Refurbisment

The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 24 April 2021.

The Ministerial Code clearly states ‘Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and the public’. This has not happened.

Given we know it only takes a text message from a friend to get the full attention at the top of your government, many people will wonder what personal goodwill could be generated by a secret donation to the redecoration of your living quarters.

Any external financial aid to a Prime Minister’s lifestyle must of course be fully declared at the time and as the Ministerial Code makes clear, real and perceived conflicts of interest must be avoided.

I believe there needs to be a full investigation given the gravity of the new accusations from your former Chief Adviser and the serious implications of other irregularities of this concerning episode.