Overview
- No 10 released emails between Nicholas Joicey and Harvey & Wheeler confirming the firm said it would apply for the Southwark selective licence but never completed the process.
- Harvey & Wheeler owner Gareth Martin apologized and said a property manager who offered to file the application suddenly resigned before the tenancy began.
- Independent standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus reported no evidence of bad faith and advised against a ministerial code investigation.
- Rachel Reeves accepted responsibility, apologized for not identifying the emails sooner, and said the licence application has now been submitted.
- Conservatives continued to push for an ethics probe as potential housing-law penalties, including fines or rent repayment, remain possible pending council decisions, and No 10 said Reeves will deliver the 26 November Budget.