UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Resigns Over Property Tax Breach
Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, Angela Rayner, resigned on Friday after an investigation found she had breached the ministerial code by underpaying property tax a significant blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
Rayner, a leading figure among the party’s left-wing supporters, admitted earlier this week that she had not paid the correct stamp duty on a flat purchase and voluntarily referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser.
In a formal letter, ethics chief Laurie Magnus concluded that Rayner had ignored legal guidance, constituting a breach of the ministerial code.
Citing the findings and the personal impact on her family, Rayner announced her decision to step down as deputy leader of the Labour Party and as housing minister.
“I deeply regret not seeking additional specialist tax advice and take full responsibility for this error,” Rayner wrote.
Starmer expressed his disappointment at losing a key figure in his cabinet but emphasized that Rayner would remain influential within the party.
The 45-year-old politician revealed she had underpaid on the stamp duty after selling her share of a family home to a trust fund for her child’s benefit following her 2023 divorce. Initially, she claimed the flat was her main residence, which lowered the tax owed. However, she later acknowledged this was incorrect because her son is under 18.
Rayner, who grew up in Stockport in a deprived social housing area, left school at 16 after becoming pregnant. Known for her straightforward approach, she has been a popular figure among working-class voters and was widely tipped as a potential future Labour leader.
Despite the breach, Magnus noted that Rayner had “acted with integrity and with a dedicated commitment to public service,” while still affirming that the ministerial code had been violated.
Her resignation adds to the challenges facing Starmer’s government, which has faced increasing scrutiny and political attacks in recent months.
