Overview
- The Prime Minister deemed the lapse an inadvertent failure after consulting his ethics adviser, who reported no evidence of bad faith.
- Published emails show the letting agent told Nicholas Joicey on July 17, 2024, that a selective licence was required and later wrote on August 13 that they would apply once the tenant moved in.
- Harvey & Wheeler apologised for not submitting the application, citing a staff resignation and acknowledging the owners could have believed it was in hand.
- Conservative figures called for a formal probe as Reeves accepted responsibility, with No 10 stating she retains the Prime Minister’s confidence and will deliver the Budget on November 26.
- Reeves has now applied for the Southwark licence, though she could still face civil penalties or rent repayment orders reported at roughly £38,000–£41,000 under housing rules.