How can the public trust Rachel Reeves with their hard earned cash ?’ Alex Armstrong asks

Is it time for a change? A big BBC investigation has brought the Chancellor’s past into the spotlight, causing a stir at number eleven Downing Street.

The investigation, which involved more than 20 sources, including former colleagues, and looked at receipts, emails, and internal documents, suggests that Rachel Reeves was allegedly involved in an expenses scandal during her time in customer service.

Interestingly, we only recently found out she even held that position. Her LinkedIn profile said she was an economist until it was revealed last year that this wasn’t true.

The BBC claims that before she became an MP, Reeves was one of three employees investigated by HBOS for using company expenses to fund a lavish lifestyle, including spending on dinners, events, taxis, and gifts.

**Alex Armstrong** 
Alex Armstrong says people can no longer trust the Chancellor.

Some of the purchases included handbags, perfume, earrings, and wine for colleagues. A former colleague told the BBC that Reeves and senior managers didn’t seem to care much about the budget. Sound familiar?

For example, a £400 farewell meal was paid for with a company card, and she reportedly spent £152 on a handbag and perfume as a gift for her boss using the bank’s money, according to a whistleblower.

You might wonder why this matters. Well, at the same time, the bank was in crisis. Remember? The government had to arrange a takeover by Lloyds and a £20.5 billion taxpayer bailout.

£20.5 billion. You decide if this is someone you’d trust with your hard-earned money.

A whistleblower reportedly raised concerns about Reeves and two other managers’ spending habits in early 2009. Shortly after the alleged investigation, Reeves and her boss left the bank. Another senior manager went on sick leave and never returned.

The BBC says many at the bank believed there had been an expenses investigation into Reeves and her colleagues.

No direct link has been proven between their departures and the alleged investigation, but the Chancellor has responded to these claims.

She said: “No one ever raised concerns about my expenses when I worked for Halifax Bank of Scotland. I submitted and had my expenses approved properly, as you’d expect.”

To be fair, the BBC says there’s no evidence the internal investigation was completed or that any wrongdoing was found.

But there’s more. The BBC also found that Reeves left the Bank of England nine months earlier than she claimed on her LinkedIn profile. She said she worked there for ten years, but it was actually less than six—only five years. That’s quite an exaggeration, isn’t it?

Her LinkedIn profile has seen more updates than a Tory cabinet reshuffle. Speaking of Tories, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was quick to respond.

**Rachel Reeves** 
Rachel Reeves denies the expenses claims.

If you thought it was over, think again. In 2015, Reeves was one of 19 MPs who had their official credit card suspended by the parliamentary expenses watchdog for failing to prove their spending was valid.

At the time, she owed over £4,000, but only paid it back after her card was blocked. Despite all this, a Downing Street spokesperson says the Prime Minister has no concerns about her conduct.

Isn’t this the same Prime Minister who fired Louise Hague over trust issues? So, is she the Iron Chancellor, or can’t she remember?

Rachel, you can’t claim to be detail-oriented and then forget basic facts about your past jobs. You can’t claim credibility if you exaggerate your experience and qualifications.

Labour has promised to be the moral alternative to the Conservatives, vowing to restore trust in British politics. How many times have we heard that? But when the Chancellor’s own history is full of unanswered questions, how can the public trust her with their money?