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.
In short
- Reeves and former adviser Nunn reportedly met two City firms.
- Tories have asked the standards adviser to investigate.
- Rules restrict former officials’ use of government knowledge and contacts.
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The case for
An inquiry could establish whether the meetings complied with the rules and whether any privileged information or government contacts were used for private work. Because the discussions reportedly took place shortly before the Budget and involved a former Treasury adviser’s new consultancy, supporters of scrutiny may see an independent examination and a clear explanation from Reeves as important to public confidence and fair competition.
The case against
The reported meetings and discussion of political advice do not by themselves show that confidential information was shared or lobbying rules were breached. Those backing caution may argue that the existing restrictions already prohibit such conduct, and that calls for an investigation should be based on evidence of a specific breach rather than the timing or appearance of the meetings alone.
Explained simply
Rachel Reeves is the UK chancellor, responsible for the Treasury and the government’s tax and spending plans. Ben Nunn was her adviser at the Treasury and has since started a consultancy offering advice to private clients.
Rules for former ministers and government advisers are intended to prevent them using confidential information or official contacts for private gain. Reeves and Nunn are both barred from lobbying the government for two years after leaving their roles.
The concern raised by the reported meetings is whether those rules cover the discussions and any advice Nunn’s firm might provide. The Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards examines whether ministers have followed the standards expected of them.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Calls to investigate ex-Chancellor Rachel Reeves over secret meetings with City firms”.