Commons Speaker rebukes Rachel Reeves for Budget comments in US

Reeves accused Chancellor of 'cooking the books' in speech to US audience

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has rebuked Rachel Reeves for her comments about the Budget while she was in the US.

The Shadow Chancellor had accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of "cooking the books" in a speech to a US audience.

Hoyle said that Reeves' comments were "unwise" and "unhelpful". He said that it was "not appropriate" for MPs to make such comments while abroad.

Reeves has since defended her comments, saying that she was simply "stating the facts".

However, Hoyle's comments are likely to add to the pressure on Reeves, who is already facing calls to resign from some within her own party.

In a statement, Hoyle said that he had "spoken to Ms Reeves about her comments".

He said: "I have made it clear to her that I believe her comments were unwise and unhelpful."

Hoyle added: "It is not appropriate for Members of Parliament to make such comments while abroad."

In a statement, Reeves said that she stood by her comments.

She said: "I was simply stating the facts when I said that the Chancellor is cooking the books."

Reeves added: "The government is borrowing more money than it is taking in taxes, and this is unsustainable."

Hoyle's comments are likely to add to the pressure on Reeves, who is already facing calls to resign from some within her own party.

A number of Labour MPs have expressed their dissatisfaction with Reeves' performance as Shadow Chancellor.

Some have even called for her to be replaced by a more experienced figure.

The controversy over Reeves' comments is likely to continue in the coming days.

It remains to be seen whether she will be able to weather the storm and keep her job.