Tories demand probe of ex-Chancellor Reeves over undisclosed City firm meetings

Conservative MPs have written to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, demanding a review of former Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent undisclosed meetings with two City firms. The correspondence, authored by Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake, claims the gatherings, held with Reeves' ex-spin doctor Ben Nunn, occurred in the two weeks leading up to the Budget and focused on the political counsel the pair could provide.

Sources indicate the discussions also covered Nunn's newly launched consultancy, Arlington Road Consultants, and that the firms' CEOs had previously met Reeves while she was Chancellor. The Tories argue that such contacts may violate rules prohibiting former ministers from exploiting privileged information for private sector benefit, especially during the mandatory two-year lobbying ban. They stress that failure to seek prior advice from the standards adviser could appear as a double standard compared with other parties. Reeves has not responded, and Nunn declined comment.