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Angela Rayner has resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after a Telegraph investigation revealed she failed to pay £40,000 in stamp duty on her seaside flat in Hove, East Sussex. The scandal has triggered a major crisis for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party.
Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests, confirmed that Ms Rayner breached the ministerial code by failing to uphold the “highest possible standards of proper conduct.” He noted that a law firm had advised her to seek expert tax guidance, which she did not follow, leading to the tax shortfall.
Ms Rayner also stepped down as deputy Labour leader, forcing a party-wide election to fill the role. This opens the door for a hard-Left candidate to take the position, creating potential turbulence within the party.
Her resignation comes just a week after Sir Keir Starmer launched a Government reset, and a major Cabinet reshuffle is expected this Friday. The controversy also complicates upcoming fiscal policies, making it more difficult for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to propose property tax increases in November’s Budget.
In her letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Rayner confirmed she was leaving all three roles, taking responsibility for the stamp duty issue and emphasizing her dedication to public service despite the misstep.
