Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned after an inquiry concluded that she breached the ministerial code by underpaying property tax, dealing a heavy blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government
Rayner, a prominent figure within Labour’s left wing, admitted earlier this week that she had underpaid a surcharge on a flat purchase and voluntarily referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser.
Ethics chief Laurie Magnus, in a letter to Starmer, said Rayner ignored legal advice given to her and therefore “breached the code.”
In her resignation letter, Rayner acknowledged falling short of expected standards. “I accept that I did not meet the highest standards,” she wrote, while also announcing her exit as housing minister and deputy Labour leader. “I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice. I take full responsibility for this error.”
Starmer, in his response, expressed sadness over her departure. “I am very sad to lose you from government,” he wrote, while assuring her she remained a key figure in the party.
The development piles more pressure on Starmer’s administration, which has already been rattled by U-turns on welfare reform and fuel subsidies for the elderly, as well as mounting criticism over its inability to curb small boat migrant crossings — an issue boosting Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Rayner admitted on Wednesday that she underpaid stamp duty on a seaside flat in southern England. This followed reports alleging she had saved £40,000 ($53,000) by removing her name from another property’s deed.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
