Several of Rachel Reeves’s colleagues and allies have reportedly blamed an altercation with the Speaker of the Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, for her tearful appearance during PMQs today. They have also accused him of being abrupt with the Chancellor in a meeting before the weekly event.

Reeves’s mood is thought to have darkened after an interaction during Treasury questions on Tuesday in which Sir Lindsay asked her to give shorter answers. However, no one has claimed to have witnessed the interaction personally. The Chancellor’s team has declined to comment.

The Commons Speaker has refused to comment on the reports in the BBC, simply saying “no comment”.

Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, launched a savage attack on Ms Reeves, saying she “looks absolutely miserable” and has since said that “we should find out what’s going on”, according to her spokesperson.

Reeves’ spokesperson says she was upset over a “personal matter” and No. 10 has insisted the chancellor is “going nowhere”.

“It’s a personal matter, which – as you would expect – we are not going to get into,” a statement says.

“The chancellor will be working out of Downing Street this afternoon.”

Shortly after sparring with Keir Starmer in the Commons, Ms Badenoch took to social media, saying: “Today the Prime Minister refused to back his Chancellor, leaving her humiliated.

“She is the human shield for his expensive U-turns.”

The SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, took to social media to support the chancellor.

“Like almost all MPs I don’t know why the Chancellor was upset in the Chamber today, but I do hope she is okay and back to her duties this afternoon.

“Seeing another person in distress is always very difficult, and we are wishing her well.”