Reeves faces calls for inquiry into meetings with City firms

Rachel Reeves is facing calls for an investigation after reports that she and her former Treasury adviser Ben Nunn met two City firms shortly before the Budget. The meetings have prompted questions about whether former officials could use privileged knowledge or contacts from government in private work.

The meetings reportedly took place in the past fortnight and included discussion of political advice Nunn’s newly launched consultancy could offer. Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake asked the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to examine whether rules were breached and urged Reeves to explain the meetings. Former ministers and special advisers face restrictions on using privileged information and lobbying government; both Reeves and Nunn are barred from lobbying for two years. Reeves was approached for comment.