The controversy surrounding Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ failure to secure a selective licence for her London rental property has escalated from a local compliance issue to a national political jibe, thanks to the right-wing political website Guido Fawkes.

The site is currently selling a “premium collection” T-shirt featuring a Wild West-style ‘Wanted’ poster, with an image of the beleaguered Chancellor and the prominent caption ‘Rachel Reeves Rogue Landlord’.

The Merchandise of the Scandal

The black t-shirts, priced at £15 each, are being marketed with a provocative description:  Guido Fawkes Statement: “Have you seen this rogue landlord? Last seen in the HBOS complaints department. Beware: prone to aggressive tax hikes…”

This merchandise push capitalises on the political row that erupted after it was revealed Reeves had rented her Dulwich home without the required licence—an offence that could have resulted in a significant fine for a typical landlord. The move ensures the story, which Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had hoped to close, remains in the public eye.

Controversy is Guido Fawkes’ Calling Card

The T-shirt campaign is fully in line with the website’s long history of courting controversy. For 21 years, the site has been a consistent thorn in the side of politicians across the spectrum, known for its sharp commentary and aggressive campaigning. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson once reportedly described the website as “the dung on the rosebush of politics.”

This latest stunt weaponises the property licensing issue into a highly visible, consumable form of political protest, further muddying the waters around the Chancellor’s compliance record just weeks before the Autumn Budget.