Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC over tax affairs paving the way for potential leadership bid
Source: The Guardian
Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, the Guardian can reveal, paving the way for a potential leadership bid as Keir Starmer’s grip on power unravels.
The former deputy prime minister has settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty after initially paying the lower rate, but has not paid any penalty as a result of the investigation. HMRC was also satisfied there was no tax avoidance.
In an interview with the Guardian, Rayner said she had been “bruised” by the whole experience because of the 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.
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Rayner suggested she could enter any leadership contest, should one be triggered by Streeting on Thursday, although sources have said she was not dead set on being the left’s candidate.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/14/angela-rayner-cleared-hmrc-tax-affairs-labour-leadership-starmer
See https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143664368 - Health Secretary Wes Streeting's supporters says he will challenge Keir Starmer for leading Labour (and thus being Prime Minister) today. Rayner resigned as Deputy PM because of her tax problem, and this "all cleared up now - no tax avoidance" comes just in time to oppose Streeting.
If you want the tax details:
Due to complex arrangements surrounding a trust for her disabled son, the flat should have been considered to be Rayner's second home. This meant she owed an additional £40,000 in stamp duty.
Following the scrutiny around her tax affairs, Rayner said last autumn she sought advice from a senior lawyer and admitted that she should have paid the higher rate on the home.
She then referred herself to the prime minister's ethics adviser, who concluded that Rayner "acted with integrity" but had breached the ministerial code.
The adviser also said she did get legal advice when buying the property, but failed to seek further expert tax advice as recommended.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cwy21gpr1kzt?post=asset%3A476305dc-c41d-48c9-8eb1-77308aa9b64f#post
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