Not appropriate to take free gig tickets, says Labour MP

A minister has heaped more pressure on Rachel Reeves over her decision to accept free tickets to see Sabrina Carpenter perform at the O2, saying he does not personally think it’s appropriate”.

- MILLIE COOKE ARCHIE MITCHELL

The chancellor had faced criticism for attending the show earlier this year ahead of imposing sweeping cuts to spending, including the benefits bill, as she seeks to balance the books with critics arguing the gifts are an insult to the public during an ongoing cost of living crisis.

The latest saga threatens to reignite the freebies row that engulfed the government last year after a number of cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, accepted tickets to the Taylor Swift Era’s tour, at a total value of more than £23,000.

Asked about the decision to accept the tickets, housing minister Matthew Pennycook told LBC: “I don’t personally think it’s appropriate. If I want to go to a concert at the O2, I’ll pay for it.

“But individual MPs, individual ministers make their own decisions. I think that the important thing is that everything is declared and above board, so individual people can make their choices as to whether they think it’s appropriate to take tickets on occasions.

“I personally haven’t done, as I said, at the O2, and wouldn’t do.” But, coming to the chancellor’s defence, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner told LBC: “I think it's totally OK for Rachel to make that decision. She said why she did that, she said it was around security as well. I completely understand her position on that, and she’s declared it in the proper and right way.”

His comments pile further pressure on the chancellor, who has faced days of criticism for accepting the freebie gig tickets.