Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has issued a half-hearted apology after being accused of "fabricating" his CV by claiming to be a solicitor.
Reynolds, who never qualified as a solicitor, used social media posts and an appearance in the House of Commons to highlight his supposed experience as a solicitor in Manchester.
However, Reynolds is now facing a probe from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The SRA is conducting two inquiries into Reynolds's description of himself as a fully qualified solicitor on LinkedIn, his personal website and in Parliament.
Jonathan Reynolds
PA
Speaking to The Daily Mail in New Delhi, Reynolds said he did not think the claims had been a "huge deal" but wished to apologise if anyone had "misunderstood".
He added: "For a speech - and I think a tweet or maybe a Facebook post over a decade ago - I don’t think it’s a huge deal, but I should apologise for that, if anyone has misunderstood that, but I don’t think they have."
However, Reynolds's remarks came just shortly after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage vowed to launch a private investigation into the Business Secretary.
Addressing supporters in Cornwall last night, Farage said: “Jonathan Reynolds, who’s never had a proper job in his life, who tells us he’s a solicitor when he’s never been qualified, which is a criminal offence.
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Nigel Farage
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“I can tell you tonight that there will be a private prosecution brought against Jonathan Reynolds.”
Labour’s CV row, which was sparked following separate concerns about Rachel Reeves’s resume, took a turn after the SRA announced its two probes.
Reynolds confirmed the watchdog had been in touch following a series of complaints sent by Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.
The watchdog has the power to impose fines if it finds wrongdoing but it has not launched an official investigation against him.
Responding to the prospect of a fine last night, Reynolds said: “I do not believe anyone has thought I am advertising or selling or conducting myself as a qualified solicitor secretly for the last 15 years.”
Chancellor Rachel ReevesPATurning his fury towards the Tories, the Stalybridge & Hyde MP added: “I think these kind of personal attacks are about trying to distract the Government.”
Reynolds is understood to have apologised to Sir Keir Starmer at the end of last week, with the Prime Minister accepting his Business Secretary’s regrets.
Questions around Reeves’s resume revolve around her stint working at the Bank of England and claims about her expenses from her time at the Halifax Bank of Scotland.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was accused of “inconsistencies” in her CV after differing claims about how long she worked as a carer.
