Jonathan Reynolds should resign or be sacked over claims he lied on his CV about being a solicitor, the Tories and Reform have said.

The Business Secretary claimed he worked as a solicitor for law firm Addleshaw Goddard before becoming an MP.

He also told the House of Commons in 2014 that he “worked as a solicitor in Manchester city centre” before switching careers.

But he did not qualify for the title because he did not complete his training contract, it has emerged.

Reform’s five MPs penned a letter to Sir Keir Starmer while the Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith wrote a letter to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests.

Taking to X, Mr Griffith said: “The Business Secretary has falsely claimed to be a solicitor on numerous occasions, including whilst serving as a minister.

“He has shamefully tried to blame his staff, yet this wasn’t just one slip-up – it was repeated over a decade and the words came out of his own mouth in the House.

“This is exactly what brings public life into disrepute and, as a former businessman, I know that this sort of misrepresentation would not be tolerated elsewhere.

“As such, I have written to the independent adviser on ministerial standards asking him to investigate. He should do the decent thing, apologise and step down. Instead, 24 hours in, there is no sign of him doing so.”

In the Tories’ letter to Sir Laurie, Mr Griffith wrote: “By repeatedly referring to himself as a solicitor on his website, online CV (LinkedIn), and social media as well as in conversations with high-profile businesspeople such as Luke Johnson, the Secretary of State appears to have knowingly misled the public in a manner which is not compatible with the Ministerial Code and the standards rightly expected of those in high public office.”

He added: “I am therefore asking that you proactively initiate an investigation into this matter.”

Reform’s MPs said they had “deep concern” over the issue and called on Sir Keir to “take immediate action to remove” Mr Reynolds.

It added: “The public are already starting to lose trust in you and your government, so we urge you to do the right thing, remove the Secretary of State from his position and urge him to refer himself to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and apologise to the public.”

Labour sources said many of the entries were written in “third person”, suggesting Mr Reynolds did not write them himself.

The Guido Fawkes political website claimed Mr Reynolds stated on his LinkedIn profile that he was a “solicitor” and a “trainee solicitor” between 2009 and 2010.

An archived version of Mr Reynolds’ website from 2013 stated: “Jonathan Reynolds was elected as the Member of Parliament for Stalybridge and Hyde at the 2010 General Election.

“Prior to this, he was an elected member of Tameside Council, representing the Longdendale ward, which is within the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency. He also worked as a solicitor in the Manchester office of law firm Addleshaw Goddard.”

His website stated he was “offered a training contract to become a solicitor with Addleshaw Goddard LLP in Manchester”, describing it as a “fantastic place to work”.

The latest headache for Sir Keir follows reports last week that Chancellor Rachel Reeves exaggerated her online CV and was investigated over her use of expenses while working at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS).

Ms Reeves has said she was not aware of an investigation or issue with her expenses and said she left the bank on good terms.

She said her expenses had always been signed off in the proper way.

Sir Keir’s former transport secretary, Louise Haigh, was forced to resign when it emerged she pleaded guilty to an offence over incorrectly telling police a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.