Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, is under scrutiny by the Solicitors’ Regulation Agency (SRA) over allegations that he falsified his employment history.
The regulatory body has reopened its investigation after it was revealed that Reynolds claimed to have been a solicitor, a title he did not earn as he never completed his training contract.
The SRA had initially concluded the matter without action but has now revisited the case due to new information.
This development follows a letter from Robert Jenrick, the Shadow Justice Secretary, urging the SRA to thoroughly investigate Reynolds’ claims. The SRA has acknowledged receipt of Jenrick’s letter but has not disclosed the specifics of the investigation.
Reynolds’ professional claims came into question when discrepancies were noted in his LinkedIn profile, which incorrectly listed him as a solicitor.
This prompted a warning from the SRA last month, leading to immediate corrections by Reynolds, who attributed the mistake to an “administrative error”.
The fresh probe highlights a series of claims made by Reynolds, including statements on his website and to the House of Commons, where he previously asserted his credentials as a Manchester-based solicitor.
These claims contradict the legal stipulations under the Solicitors Act 1974, which criminalise the act of falsely implying qualification as a solicitor.
The Labour Party has faced similar issues, with Sir Keir Starmer recently defending his Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, against accusations of CV embellishment.
This ongoing investigation into Reynolds’ professional conduct may intensify the scrutiny of political figures’ credentials, potentially affecting public trust and the integrity of legal standards.
