Banking expenses never questioned, says Reeves

Rachel Reeves has said that she was never questioned about her expenses during her time working at Halifax Bank of Scotland.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The chancellor was responding to a BBC report that found evidence of an internal inquiry into the spending habits of Ms Reeves and two other colleagues on their company cards, but it appears that the investigation was never escalated to the point where action was taken.

Insisting her expenses had been submitted and approved “in the proper way”, she added: “I was never questioned, never asked to pay back any expenses.”

Ms Reeves worked at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) between 2006 and 2009. On Thursday, the BBC reported she 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.

It uncovered documents it alleged 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.