No 10 refuses to say if ethics adviser saw proof Reeves's rental breach was inadvertent'

"She has set out that it was an inadvertent mistake, and as soon as it was brought to her attention, took immediate action, applying for the licence and speaking to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. She made the prime minister aware of this issue at the earliest opportunity, at which point he immediately sought advice from the independent adviser, who has advised that in the light of the chancellor's prompt action to rectify the position, including her apology, that further investigation is not necessary."

"In an exchange of letters with Starmer late on Wednesday, Reeves said that when she rented out the house she had not been told by the lettings agency that homes in that area needed a 945 licence before they were rented out. In his reply, Starmer said that having consulted his independent adviser on ministerial interests, Laurie Magnus, he was satisfied the breach was inadvertent and that given her prompt action once she knew about the licence, an apology was sufficient."

"Pressed repeatedly at a media briefing whether Magnus had seen any evidence to back up Reeves's case or had simply taken the chancellor at her word, a Downing Street spokesperson refused to say, noting that Magnus's advice was always confidential. As pressure mounted on the chancellor, despite the prime minister saying an apology should end the matter, No 10 also declined to say whether Reeves contravened the ministerial code or had broken the law in breaching Southwark council rules."

Downing Street refused to disclose whether the independent adviser on ministerial interests had reviewed evidence supporting Rachel Reeves's claim that her failure to obtain a licence was inadvertent. The prime minister said an apology should end the matter, but No 10 declined to state whether Reeves contravened the ministerial code or breached the law under Southwark council rules. Reeves said the lettings agency had not informed her that a 945 licence was required before renting the south London house. Sir Keir Starmer said he consulted Laurie Magnus and accepted that the breach was inadvertent and that Reeves' prompt action and apology made further investigation unnecessary.

Read at www.theguardian.com