Swinney calls for Reeves' resignation over misleading the public

First Minister John Swinney has publicly called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to step down, claiming she misled both the public and financial markets. Swinney told BBC Scotland News that Reeves must "face the consequences" of her actions, stating she has "no alternative" but to resign.

Reeves has rejected accusations of misleading the public ahead of last week's Budget announcement, where she suggested the UK's finances were in a more precarious state than they actually were. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also defended the chancellor, insisting that she did not provide misleading information.

In her pre-Budget speech on 4 November, Reeves indicated possible tax increases while highlighting that the UK's productivity performance was "weaker than previously thought." Reports later revealed that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had informed her in mid-September that public finances were in better shape than generally understood, due to higher wage forecastsinformation she did not share publicly.

The Conservative Party has accused Reeves of presenting an unnecessarily negative view of the public finances to justify tax hikes. John Swinney has urged that the chancellor be reviewed by the prime minister's ethics adviser. He told BBC Scotland News: "Rachel Reeves has clearly misled the public and financial markets. She had information from the OBR indicating that the challenges she faced were not as severe as she suggested. If the public cannot trust the chancellor, how can governance function effectively?"

Swinney added: "If we cannot rely on the chancellor being honest, the government faces a serious credibility problem."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also called for Reeves to resign, arguing that she "appears to have given false information deliberately to smooth the way for her Budget." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has formally reported Reeves to the independent adviser on ministerial ethics, questioning whether she violated the ministerial code.

The Scottish Conservatives have requested Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to comment on Reeves position. Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy stated: "Rachel Reeves misled the public and the markets regarding the nation's finances. There was no need to raise taxes to balance the books. Her Downing Street press conference was a calculated move to enable Labours latest spending plans. The Scottish Labour leader must explain to citizens why households and businesses are being hit for political maneuvering."

Scottish Labour has been approached for a statement. Reeves told the BBC program Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that OBR figures clearly showed "less fiscal space than there was," and she had been transparent about her decisions. She rejected claims that she misled the public or financial markets. Starmer maintains that Reeves did not provide misleading information in the lead-up to the Budget.

Author: Sophia Brooks