UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Number 10 refuses to confirm if Chancellor Rachel Reeves broke the ministerial code, saying her housing apology was a “sufficient resolution.”
As reported by The Telegraph, Downing Street refused to confirm if Rachel Reeves violated the ministerial code.
The Chancellor admitted breaching housing rules and apologised to the Prime Minister over renting her family home after moving to Number 11.
Prime Minister called Ms Reeves’s apology “sufficient” and confirmed ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus won’t investigate further.
What did Number 10 say about Rachel Reeves and the ministerial code?
When asked if the Chancellor had broken the code, a Number 10 spokesman stated,
“As the Chancellor has set out, she’s explained it was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action.”
He said,
“The Ministerial Code makes clear that in certain circumstances and in conjunction with the independent adviser an apology is sufficient resolution.”
Downing Street declined to confirm if Ms Reeves would pay a fine or reveal evidence reviewed by Sir Laurie.
Questioned whether Mr Starmer sees Rachel Reeves’s law breach as a defence, Number 10 replied, “No.”
When asked why he accepted Ms Reeves’s breach as inadvertent, he explained,
“Again, I set out the case here as the Chancellor has set out as well … The Chancellor has set out this was an inadvertent mistake and has apologised.”
Pressed on differences from the Partygate scandal, the spokesman responded,
“Again I’d refer you to the exchange of letters. The Prime Minister consulted with his adviser on ministerial standards.”
Downing Street declined to say if the Prime Minister would sack the Chancellor over a fine or criminal sanction.
A Number 10 spokesman initially stated,
“As I’ve said, I refer you to the letter on this … ‘I’m satisfied that this matter can be drawn to a close following an apology.’”
When journalists pressed for clarity, the spokesman stated,
“I won’t get into hypotheticals.”
What did Jae Vail say about Rachel Reeves’ housing breach?
Jae Vail of the London Renters Union said, “Rachel Reeves must resign.”
He stated,
“At a time when infants are dying in temporary accommodation, when hundreds of thousands of private renters are trapped in dangerous homes, it is unacceptable for the Chancellor to flout what scant protections tenants have.”
He said,
“The new regulations in the Renters’ Rights Act will only make tenants safer in our homes if landlords who break the law are meaningfully held to account. Politicians cannot be let off easy.”
Mr Vail added,
“How can the millions of people struggling right now trust the government to tackle rising rents when so many politicians are dodging their responsibilities and cashing in on the housing crisis? It is a conflict of interest. It’s time to get landlords out of parliament for good.”
What did Priti Patel urge over Rachel Reeves’ landlord claims?
Tory shadow foreign secretary, said Southwark Council plans to tackle rogue landlords and vacant homes.
Dame Priti stated,
“Labour-run Southwark Council boasts of ‘cracking down on’ and having a ‘zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords’ and have prosecuted landlords for renting unlicensed properties.”
She added,
“Rachel Reeves has made thousands from renting without following the licensing laws. Southwark Council must now take action on Rachel Reeves and prosecute her.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about Sir Keir’s Cabinet after the Reeves scandal?
Tory leader calls on Keir Starmer to check the top team for rule breaches after Rachel Reeves’ London violation.
When questioned if the Prime Minister should audit his Cabinet, Ms Badenoch said,
“I think he’s going to have to do more than a one-off audit. He does not have a Cabinet of people who are ready to run the country. None of them have ever run a proper business. That’s why they’ve got themselves into a mess.”
She stated,
“Many of them come purely from trade union backgrounds or the public sector, and right now the economy is the biggest challenge that is facing all of us, and we need people who understand that.”
The Tory leader added,
“And they’re very, very distracted with all of their personal issues, their constant blunders. We need a Cabinet of people who are focused on what is going on with the economy.”
What did Rachel Reeves say about her housing mistake?
Rachel Reeves acknowledged her mistake in a letter to the Prime Minister and informed the government’s independent ethics adviser.
She added,
“This was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence.”
Ms Reeves added,
“I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.”
Key facts about the Renters’ Rights Bill
The Renters’ Rights Bill has completed its passage through Parliament and is now an Act of Parliament, having received Royal Assent on October 27, 2025.
The core objective of this bill is to empower renters by abolishing Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, a practice that allowed landlords to repossess their properties without having to give a reason.
The Act is designed to give tenants more security in their homes, enabling them to challenge poor conditions and unreasonable rent increases without fear of retaliatory eviction.