Talk about good timing. Angela Rayner has this morning announced that HMRC has finally concluded its long-running probe into her tax affairs. The Labour MP, who was forced to resign from the cabinet last September, was cleared by the watchdog of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, paving the way for a potential leadership bid. First Wes, now Ange: good luck Keir…
The former Deputy Prime Minister reveals she was forced to stump up £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty, but has not paid any penalty as a result of the investigation, with HMRC was also satisfied that there was no tax avoidance. Rayner has done quotes with the Guardian (of course), declaring how ‘bruised’ she was the experience: both because of intrusion into her disabled son’s personal life, but also because it had appeared as though she was ‘in it for myself’ rather than on the side of ordinary people. Perish the thought, eh?
Rayner indicated to the Graun that she may run in event of a contest as she would ‘play my part’ and that she understood why Labour MPs were so upset following last week’s election crushing. The red Queen did not rule out endorsing a soft left rival if they had a better chance of success in any contest, raising the prospect of potential candidates on her wing of the party agreeing who would represent them. She said that:
I don’t think it’s a case of each person for themselves, but I do think it’s a case of people seeing how they can pull the party together and have the vision to take us forward. You have to play your role as part of a team…I’ve made it clear that I wasn’t going to trigger the prime minister – and that I want to see change. I want to see actions, not just words.
Rayner added that Starmer should ‘reflect on’ stepping aside. Gulp!
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