Sleaze watchdog launches investigation into Rachel Reeves over Christmas theatre ticket freebie worth £276
Rachel Reeves was left embarrassed last night after the Westminster sleaze watchdog opened a probe into one of her ticket freebies.
On the eve of today's local elections, it emerged parliamentary commissioner for standards Daniel Greenberg had launched an official investigation into the Chancellor's failure to declare theatre tickets worth £276 on time.
It makes her the first member of Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet to face sanctions for allegedly breaking the MP's code of conduct.
It follows criticism of Mrs Reeves – including by fellow Labour MPs – for accepting free VIP seats at a pop concert while planning massive cuts to benefits and public spending.
Tory MP Gareth Davies last night told the Mail: 'This is yet another embarrassment for a Chancellor hooked on handouts and hopelessly out of her depth.
While Birmingham rots under rubbish and rats the size of cats roam its streets, Rachel Reeves is under investigation for freebie addiction – an insult to millions of hard-working people across the country.
'Today's local elections are a chance to send her and Labour a message. The scandals, cronyism and relentless squeeze on ordinary families must end.'
An online list of 'allegations currently under investigation by the commissioner' has been updated to show that an inquiry into Mrs Reeves was opened on Tuesday over 'registration of interests'.
Rachel Reeves (pictured) was left embarrassed last night after the Westminster sleaze watchdog opened a probe into one of her ticket freebies
She received free tickets from the National Theatre, worth £276, to see a production of Ballet Shoes with three family members at Christmas (file photo)
She is said to have breached paragraph five of the code. It states that MPs must 'fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the register of members' financial interests' and must 'register any change in those registrable interests within 28 days'.
It relates to the free tickets she received from the National Theatre, worth £276, to see a production of Ballet Shoes with three family members at Christmas.
Mrs Reeves declared the freebie on time to HM Treasury under new rules set up by Labour for a monthly list of all gifts and hospitality enjoyed by ministers.
But, as a result of an admin error, it was registered late with the Commons authorities – who maintain a separate register of members' financial interests for all MPs –missing the 28-day deadline.
The latest edition of the register shows that the hospitality was not registered until March 27 – exactly three months after the performance.
It is understood that Mrs Reeves 'self-declared' the late registration to the commissioner rather than a member of the public lodging a complaint.
Under the so-called rectification process, she is likely to have to acknowledge and apologise for the oversight in writing.
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer MP, speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons
A spokesman for Mrs Reeves said: 'The Chancellor's interests are fully declared and up to date.'
The row over her freebies began in March when she admitted to the BBC she had accepted tickets worth £600 from The O2 arena owner to see US pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
She initially defended it on security grounds, claiming she had to sit in a corporate box with her young daughter because she requires close protection as a senior member of the Cabinet.
But after she was rebuked by a fellow minister, a Labour peer and a party grandee, she was forced to admit it looked bad and agreed not to take any more free tickets.
The Mail then revealed she also enjoyed complimentary tickets from the National Theatre to see Ballet Shoes last Christmas as well as another play in 2023.
She and her husband, Nick Joicey, who between them are paid more than £300,000, enjoyed a free dinner before watching a performance of Nye – about NHS architect and Labour hero Aneurin Bevan – worth £265.
