Question Time viewers member skewers Labour minister over Reeves CV | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A BBC Question Time viewers member has grilled a minister over Rachel Reeves’s CV.

The Chancellor on Thursday up to date her job historical past on skilled networking web site LinkedIn to replicate she labored at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) for longer than she had beforehand stated.

The Chancellor’s web page had beforehand advised her stint on the Bank of England, which she has beforehand referenced to strengthen her credentials, lasted months longer than it now says.

But an viewers member requested Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith why folks ought to consider what they see on the skilled networking web site.

The viewers member requested: “Has she just completley undermined LinkedIn, saying there’s no truth in it because a member of her staff put it on. Why should we believe what’s on LinkedIn anymore?”

Baroness Smith had advised earlier within the programme that the LinkedIn web page was not a CV, which is a separate doc handed to employers when trying to find jobs.

She stated: “What we’re talking about is not a CV. What we’re talking about is a LinkedIn account produced by her staff which she didn’t see before it went up.

“A CV is what you undergo someone once you’re making an attempt to get a job and it could be wholly fallacious if what you stated on that was not true.”

Before entering parliament, the Chancellor was one of three employees investigated by HBOS for using her expenses to “fund a lifestyle” with inappropriate spending on dinners, events, taxis and gifts, the BBC has alleged.

The broadcaster uncovered documents it said showed Ms Reeves was accused of spending hundreds of pounds on the items, including one gift for her boss. Concerns were reportedly raised about her spending on taxis and on a Christmas party, with one whistleblower believing it to be excessive, the BBC said.

Ms Reeves’s spokesman said she did not recall being investigated by HBOS or facing questions over her expenses.

Sir Keir Starmer backed Ms Reeves on Thursday as she came under pressure over inaccuracies in her CV and her use of expenses in a previous job.

A lawyer for the Chancellor, who is MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, has also said she was not subject to “allegations of wrongdoing or misconduct” during her career in retail banking.

Asked whether he was comfortable with the Chancellor appearing to exaggerate her relevant experience, Sir Keir said on Thursday: “Rachel Reeves has dealt with any issues that arise.

“She delivered a really important budget for the country that balanced the books, gave us stability, that is beginning to see those interest rates come down, those mortgages coming down as a result – beginning to see some of the growth we need.

“She is determined that we go further with that. She can deal with the issues that arise out of this report many years ago.”

Asked if Ms Reeves could be trusted, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Yes, the Chancellor is working with the whole of Cabinet to deliver the Plan for Change.”

On whether it would be right to say the Prime Minister does not have any concerns about Ms Reeves’ conduct, he said: “Correct.”

Downing Street said the Chancellor went through a ministerial declaration process like other members of Cabinet when she joined the Government, but the spokesperson would not get into the detail of what was disclosed.

The Conservatives’ Danny Kruger, also appearing on Question Time, said Ms Reeves is “anti-growth”.

He added: “The real test in her actual performance, and I don’t think much of her qualifications as an economist if she’s doing what she’s done.”

It got here as GDP figures for the final quarter of 2024 present development of 0.1%.