Rachel Reeves addresses tears at PMQs in new bombshell remarks – ‘I’m not apologising’ | UK | News
Rachel Reeves has finally spoken out after crying during Prime Minister’s Questions last July. The Chancellor insisted he was tearful over personal matters rather than speculation about his future after Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially failed to guarantee he would keep his job.
But the Chancellor admitted he “regretted” going to PMQs after being “overwhelmed by emotion” and that he would “stay in the office next time”. Television cameras captured Ms Reeves wiping away tears after Sir Keir refused to guarantee she would remain in her job. But Downing Street insisted it was “going nowhere” after the incident and was supported by the Prime Minister.
She told Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts on Monday: “I regret going to PMQs – but you know, if I’d known it was going to happen, of course I wouldn’t have gone. “I’m guessing most of your Mumsnet users will have a day at work where they’ve been overcome with emotion for some reason.
“I guess what’s different about my job is that the TV cameras are on when it happens. So I’m not going to apologize for crying. I don’t think people should do that. But I think next time I want to do that, I’ll stay in the office.”
Asked if the incident was keeping her awake at night, Ms Reeves insisted she had “enough to worry about right now”. He explained that the ongoing situation in the Middle East is more important than “photos of me looking a little sad.”
Ms Reeves was seen wiping away tears during PMQs on July 2, 2025. While the Prime Minister backed the Chancellor, others claimed it showed a “lack of professionalism”.
He had previously said he had had a “tough day” and was “clearly upset” that day. Although he did not go into details of the incident, he explained that he was dealing with a “personal issue” at the time.
Despite speculation about the Chancellor’s future, Sir Keir Starmer later said he had done an “excellent job”. He backed him to remain in office at the next election and “for years to come.”
