- Rayner denies wrongdoing as police reevaluate complaint about living conditions
- She refuses to disclose personal tax advice regarding council house
- Labour leader defends Rayner amid ongoing police assessment
The Deputy Leader of Labour asserts her unwavering conviction that she has not committed any wrongdoing, even as Greater Manchester Police reevaluates its initial determination not to investigate a complaint regarding her living conditions.
Despite a police development concerning her living arrangements, Angela Rayner has stated that she will not disclose the “personal tax advice” she obtained regarding the sale of her council house.
The deputy leader of the Labour Party stated that she was “absolutely certain” she had not committed any error in regards to the sale of her council house and the potential obligation to pay capital gains tax on it.
Ms. Rayner stated that she had been “extremely transparent” regarding the legal counsel she had received. When queried as to why she would not disclose the legal counsel, she responded, “That is my personal tax advice.” However, I am content to adhere to the requirements of the relevant authorities who are interested in observing that.
Later, at the inauguration of Labour’s local election campaign in Dudley, Sir Keir Starmer endorsed his deputy, reassuring the audience that she had not violated any regulations and was correct not to publish the legal advice.
When Sir Keir was asked whether his deputy should resign if discovered to have committed an error, he responded, “I do not know how many questions Angela has answered regarding this. She has thoroughly considered legal and tax advice, which has satisfied her, us, and me regarding the position, and she has not violated any regulations.
While Ms. Rayner has been reluctant to disclose her tax advice to the public, she has committed to providing the information to the police and HMRC. Sir Keir concurred with this commitment.
When further questioned as to why she would not publish the advice and whether she would accept the same reasoning from a Conservative politician, Ms. Rayner responded that if her Tory critics followed suit, she would be willing to do so.
She stated, “If we are all to have a level playing field and we suddenly decide that Conservative ministers must hand over their tax affairs, I will show you mine if you show me yours.”
In reference to the “beergate” controversy that surrounded both him and Ms. Rayner prior to the May 2021 Hartlepool by-election, the Labour leader drew parallels between their respective situations and the investigation and subsequent acquittals from COVID-19 confinement charges.
He remarked, “Where does this come to an end? Do you intend to advocate for the disclosure of legal and tax advice provided by Conservative ministers spanning the previous fifteen years? “That brings an end to this.”
While he was certain Ms. Rayner had “done nothing wrong,” Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove told broadcasters that it was “in her interest to clear this mess up” and disclose the advice.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed it was “reassessing” its initial decision not to investigate allegations made about Ms. Rayner’s living arrangements in response to a complaint, prompting the Labour leader to defend her.
In recent weeks, the Labour Member of Parliament has been the subject of scrutiny regarding the sale of a former council house she owned in Stockport. She has been accused of evading capital gains tax, an allegation she has refuted.
She has also been scrutinized on suspicion that she resided predominantly at her ex-husband’s address in 2010 despite registering to vote under her name; this could have been a violation of electoral regulations.
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Ms. Rayner has stated that she was registered to vote and paid council tax and utility expenses at the residence she purchased through Margaret Thatcher’s “right-to-buy” initiative. She claimed that had the property been her primary residence, she would not have been obligated to pay capital gains tax on its sale for £127,500 in 2015, resulting in a profit of £48,500.
Nevertheless, there have been assertions that while she registered at Vicarage Road, her primary place of residence was Mr. Rayner’s address on Lowndes Lane.
Greater Manchester Police investigated the allegations and initially stated that no evidence suggested a crime had been committed.
However, James Daly, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Bury North who initially complained Ms. Rayner, subsequently contacted the force and claimed they had inadequately investigated the allegations; this prompted the force to reconsider their initial determination.
