Rachel Reeves has opened up on the moment she appeared to break down in tears in parliament, describing it as the “toughest moment” she has faced since becoming chancellor. Reeves was seen crying during PMQs in July last year, as prime minister Keir Starmer refused to guarantee her position amid mounting pressure over a welfare bill u-turn which left a £5bn hole in the public finances. “I would say: don’t cry on national television - that was probably my toughest moment,” she told Laura Kuenssberg. Asked what prompted the tears, Reeves added: “People have difficult days at work, and that was one for me.” At the time, Ms Reeves said she had become emotional as a result of personal matters.