Reeves's 'freebies' probed by parliament's watchdog

Rachel Reeves is being investigated by parliament’s standards commissioner, it emerged, less than 24 hours before voters go to the polls in England’s local elections today.

- KATE DEVLIN

The probe, understood to be into free theatre tickets, comes as a blow to Labour ahead of what are expected to be a difficult set of elections.

Earlier this year, Ms Reeves was forced to announce she would not accept future “freebie” concert tickets after her decision to accept a seat in a box to watch singer Sabrina Carpenter reignited a furious row.

The new probe comes after the chancellor attended a show at the National Theatre over Christmas but did not add the donation to her MPs’ register of interests until March. MPs have to register donations within 28 days.

It has previously been reported that she saw an adaptation of the classic children’s novel Ballet Shoes at the theatre over the festive period.