Swinney Criticizes Chancellor Over Home Letting Licensing Issue

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has publicly criticized Chancellor Rachel Reeves for what he termed “extraordinary carelessness” regarding her failure to secure the proper licence for letting out her London home. This remark follows Reeves’ admission that she inadvertently neglected to obtain the necessary selective rental licence after moving to Downing Street.

In light of the situation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer opted not to pursue an investigation into the matter after consulting with his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus. Reeves characterized her oversight as an “inadvertent error,” but this has not alleviated concerns from opposition parties. The Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch, has called for a thorough probe, urging Reeves to ensure her paperwork is in order.

On Thursday, Swinney expressed his views to the PA news agency, acknowledging the Prime Minister’s decision to heed his ethics adviser’s counsel. He, however, emphasized the significance of Reeves’ oversight, linking it to a pattern of errors within the Labour administration. “What this demonstrates is extraordinary carelessness by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in not recognizing her responsibilities,” Swinney stated.

He further drew parallels between the current Labour Government and its Conservative predecessor, highlighting the recent dismissal of Angela Rayner as another example of failure to uphold standards. Swinney remarked, “What makes it even worse is that the Labour Government came into office promising to uphold the highest standards in public office, and here we are with multiple examples of that not being the case.”

In discussing the potential for an investigation, Swinney noted reports indicating that the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser does not recommend a substantive inquiry into the issue. He stated, “If you appoint independent advisers, you should accept the conclusions that they come to.”

The controversy surrounding Reeves’ licensing oversight has raised questions about accountability within the Labour administration. As the situation develops, the UK Government has been approached for comments regarding the issue.

This unfolding drama underscores the importance of governance standards and the scrutiny faced by public officials in maintaining transparency and accountability in their roles.