Regulator Reopens Inquiry into Jonathan Reynolds' Legal Career Claims
Allegations emerge that the Business Secretary misrepresented his status as a solicitor, prompting renewed investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced the reopening of an investigation into Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Business Secretary, concerning allegations that he misrepresented his legal career.
This decision follows revelations that Reynolds listed his previous employment as a solicitor on his LinkedIn profile despite not completing his legal training.
The SRA confirmed its decision on Friday, citing the need to examine new information regarding Reynolds' professional qualifications.
Initially, the regulator contacted Reynolds in January after identifying inaccuracies on his LinkedIn profile.
At that time, the SRA closed the case after Reynolds amended the profile, leading to a determination that no further action was necessary based on the evidence available.
A spokesperson for the SRA stated, "We looked at that issue at the time...
the materials were corrected, and we closed the matter with no further action based on all the evidence we had at the time.
However, we’ve now become aware of further information, so we will look at this.” The spokesperson did not provide details about the new information prompting the inquiry.
The renewed scrutiny follows a letter from Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, who has called for a fresh inquiry into Reynolds’ claims, alleging possible criminal conduct.
He has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to dismiss Reynolds from his position.
In his defense, Reynolds stated that he is prepared to fully collaborate with the SRA to resolve the ongoing matter.
He trained as a solicitor but did not complete his training contract, leaving to pursue a parliamentary career in 2010.
Reynolds has faced increasing pressure regarding his references to himself as a solicitor.
This includes statements made during a parliamentary session in 2014, where he commented on his experience working as a solicitor in Manchester city centre.
Diana Johnson, a minister in the Home Office, indicated that errors on Reynolds’ LinkedIn profile resulted from oversights by administrative staff.
The Labour Party and Jonathan Reynolds have not yet commented on the discrepancies regarding his alleged professional designation made in the House of Commons.
Additional scrutiny extends to other politicians as well; Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, recently corrected her LinkedIn profile after it inaccurately stated her roles within financial services.
Her profile suggested she had been an economist at HBOS when she, in fact, was involved in retail banking, and it erroneously indicated her employment at the Bank of England extended beyond her actual departure in March 2006.
This decision follows revelations that Reynolds listed his previous employment as a solicitor on his LinkedIn profile despite not completing his legal training.
The SRA confirmed its decision on Friday, citing the need to examine new information regarding Reynolds' professional qualifications.
Initially, the regulator contacted Reynolds in January after identifying inaccuracies on his LinkedIn profile.
At that time, the SRA closed the case after Reynolds amended the profile, leading to a determination that no further action was necessary based on the evidence available.
A spokesperson for the SRA stated, "We looked at that issue at the time...
the materials were corrected, and we closed the matter with no further action based on all the evidence we had at the time.
However, we’ve now become aware of further information, so we will look at this.” The spokesperson did not provide details about the new information prompting the inquiry.
The renewed scrutiny follows a letter from Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, who has called for a fresh inquiry into Reynolds’ claims, alleging possible criminal conduct.
He has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to dismiss Reynolds from his position.
In his defense, Reynolds stated that he is prepared to fully collaborate with the SRA to resolve the ongoing matter.
He trained as a solicitor but did not complete his training contract, leaving to pursue a parliamentary career in 2010.
Reynolds has faced increasing pressure regarding his references to himself as a solicitor.
This includes statements made during a parliamentary session in 2014, where he commented on his experience working as a solicitor in Manchester city centre.
Diana Johnson, a minister in the Home Office, indicated that errors on Reynolds’ LinkedIn profile resulted from oversights by administrative staff.
The Labour Party and Jonathan Reynolds have not yet commented on the discrepancies regarding his alleged professional designation made in the House of Commons.
Additional scrutiny extends to other politicians as well; Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, recently corrected her LinkedIn profile after it inaccurately stated her roles within financial services.
Her profile suggested she had been an economist at HBOS when she, in fact, was involved in retail banking, and it erroneously indicated her employment at the Bank of England extended beyond her actual departure in March 2006.
