Angela Rayner Faces HMRC Over Tax Repayment
Angela Rayner has publicly confirmed that she is in discussions with HMRC regarding the repayment of taxes owed, following her resignation from government positions. The former Deputy Prime Minister expressed her commitment to fulfilling her tax obligations during a speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday, stating, “There is no excuse not to pay taxes owed, and I will do so,” reports BritPanorama.
Rayner’s comments follow a scandal that erupted nearly seven weeks ago when she resigned from her roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after failing to pay £40,000 in stamp duty on an £800,000 flat. The situation escalated as Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics chief determined that she had breached the ministerial code.
During her resignation speech, Rayner appeared visibly shaken, yet she assured MPs of her full cooperation with HMRC, stating, “I am of course corresponding with HMRC and they have my full cooperation.” Her promise of transparency comes amidst growing scrutiny over her tax affairs, particularly given her prior advocacy for accountability in public service.
Despite her resignation, Rayner received a severance payment of £17,000 just days before new regulations prohibiting such payments for ministers found guilty of serious breaches came into effect. Her spokesperson characterized her violation as an “honest mistake” rather than a serious breach.
Since stepping down, the Ashton-under-Lyne MP has remained largely out of public view, missing her party’s recent conference. Following her resignation as Deputy Labour Leader, a ballot of members is set to conclude this Saturday, determining her successor, with candidates including Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons Leader Lucy Powell.
