Kemi Badenoch Calls for Chancellor Reeves to Resign if Found Guilty of Illegal Property Renting

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader and Leader of the Opposition, has called for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to resign if it is confirmed that she broke the law by renting out her family home without the required selective rental licence. Badenoch criticized the Prime Minister and his ethics adviser for not pursuing a formal investigation, arguing that lawbreakers should not be lawmakers and emphasizing the need for equal accountability regardless of political party. Reeves admitted she did not obtain the licence when moving into No 11 Downing Street and attributed the oversight to her letting agency's failure to inform her. Despite Reeves' apology and application for the licence, there is potential for financial penalties, and concerns persist about the Chancellor's ability to focus on economic growth amid this controversy. The Prime Minister and his ethics adviser have stated that no further investigation is necessary, a stance that has been criticized for potentially undermining ethical standards. Badenoch also linked Reeves’ position to ongoing tax policy debates, suggesting Reeves should be dismissed if she raises taxes in the upcoming budget while profiting from the illegal rental.