Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has distanced herself from Chancellor Rachel Reeves over her acceptance of free concert tickets worth £600, saying she has never taken such perks as an MP. In interviews on Monday, Alexander said she had 'nothing further to add' to Reeves' explanation that the tickets were needed for security reasons.
Alexander told Times Radio: 'I haven't taken any tickets to be honest since I was elected back in June... I actually sadly haven't been to see any concerts at all over the last nine months.' Pressed on whether she would ever accept tickets, she replied: 'I have never, as a member of parliament, I have never accepted tickets to any concerts or anything like that.'
Downing Street also gave a lukewarm endorsement, with a spokesman saying the Prime Minister 'supports all of his ministers making their own judgments' over hospitality. The controversy comes as Reeves prepares to deliver her Spring Statement on Wednesday, which will include plans to cut Whitehall running costs by 15%, potentially resulting in 10,000 civil service job losses.
Reeves defended the freebie, saying she could not sit with other fans due to security requirements. However, she faced backlash from within her own party, with Labour MP Rachael Maskell calling it 'indefensible' and former NEC member Mish Rahman branding her 'Scrounger Reeves'. The Chancellor was last year forced to vow not to accept clothing gifts after taking £7,500 worth of outfits while in opposition.
