Sir Keir Starmer has insisted Rachel Reeves will remain Chancellor for a "very long time to come" after she was seen crying during Prime Minister's Questions. The Prime Minister dismissed suggestions that her tearful appearance in the Commons was linked to the Government's welfare U-turn, which created an almost £5 billion black hole in her budget plans.
Speaking on the BBC's Political Thinking podcast with Nick Robinson, Starmer said the Chancellor's emotional state was due to a "personal matter" unrelated to politics. He refused to discuss the private issue further, stating it would be an intrusion on her privacy.
Personal matter behind tears
"It's got nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with what's happened this week. It was a personal matter for her," the Prime Minister explained. He emphasised that Reeves would continue in her role as part of their shared project to transform the Labour Party and change the country.
Downing Street had earlier moved to quash speculation about the Chancellor's position, insisting she was "going nowhere" and would remain in post. The reassurance came after Starmer declined to offer public support for Reeves when he appeared at the despatch box.
Full backing from Number 10
Government allies confirmed that Reeves was dealing with a "personal matter" and stressed she retained the Prime Minister's complete confidence. Number 10 sources said she had Sir Keir's "full backing" despite the recent political turbulence surrounding the welfare policy reversal.
The Chancellor's emotional appearance sparked immediate speculation about her future, particularly given the significant financial implications of the Government's policy U-turn on welfare spending.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
