Mounting pressure on Angela Rayner
Former lawyer Sir Keir Starmer is being urged to take a closer look at his deputy Angela Rayner's tax affairs by Cabinet Minister Mel Stride. Rayner is facing scrutiny over whether she should have paid capital gains tax on the sale of her former council house in 2015. Despite denying any wrongdoing and claiming to have received tax advice at the time, Rayner has refused to publish this advice, leading to increased pressure.
Calls for transparency
Speaking on LBC, Mel Stride expressed surprise that Sir Keir Starmer, with his legal background, has not asked Rayner to show him the tax advice she received. Questions have been raised about Rayner's residency status and tax obligations, with historic photos and tweets suggesting inconsistencies in her claims. Critics have pointed out that she may face legal consequences for false declarations.
Defending Angela Rayner
In response to the criticism, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy defended Rayner, suggesting that there should be different standards for government officials and opposition figures. He emphasized Rayner's personal circumstances and questioned why she was being singled out for scrutiny. Rayner maintains that she has done nothing wrong and has the necessary tax advice to support her position.
