Angela Rayner has ignited fresh controversy by permitting her partner to use her taxpayer-funded BMW for transport. Protection officers were observed loading luggage for Rayner’s boyfriend, Sam Tarry, outside her residence in Hove, East Sussex, reports BritPanorama.
This incident comes in the wake of Rayner’s recent resignation from her Deputy Prime Minister position amid a housing scandal involving unpaid stamp duty. She has been scrutinized for failing to pay £40,000 on an £800,000 seaside property, which prompted her departure from key roles in government.
Despite stepping down, Rayner has retained access to the taxpayer-funded BMW and security personnel tasked with her protection, a controversial decision given that security details are typically reserved for politicians and not their families.
Tory Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake expressed outrage, stating, “Once again, Labour has serious questions to answer. It is right that MPs and their families are protected from intimidation and violence. But Labour must now explain why Sam Tarry has been making use of Angela Rayner’s taxpayer-funded security and transport.” He emphasized the public’s right to know if Rayner is misusing these entitlements.
The public deserves to know whether she has been abusing these privileges and taking them for a ride yet again.
Tory Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake
Rayner’s situation has elements of political drama, particularly given her former prominence as one of Labour’s leading figures, tipped for potential party leadership. Her relationship with Tarry reignited earlier this year after a brief separation. Tarry, who previously served as Shadow Transport Minister, lost his Parliament seat in the last election and has faced his own controversies.
Complicating matters, Rayner’s security is funded by taxpayers, raising further questions about the appropriateness of this arrangement, especially given the unusual level of protection for a backbench MP and the apparent misuse relating to Tarry’s activities.
In a context rife with public scrutiny, recent photographs showing Tarry assisted by Rayner’s security team while moving belongings have raised eyebrows. Reports indicate that Rayner was absent when Tarry was seen loading the car, stirring concerns about the legitimacy and transparency of her security detail’s recent tasks.
Amid these controversies, Rayner has publicly acknowledged threats to her safety, citing recent attacks on her residence that carried misogynistic overtones. Her spokesperson affirmed the necessity of security arrangements tailored to her active security risks, seeking to mitigate any potential threats efficiently. “The close protection team may undertake tasks based on the assessment of the situation,” the spokesperson stated, reinforcing the rationale behind their presence.
Despite her resignation, the fallout continues to unfold, with the government emphasizing that security measures are under parliamentary jurisdiction, not determined by the government itself. As Rayner navigates this fraught landscape, the repercussions of her actions remain under intense scrutiny, reflecting broader concerns about accountability and transparency in public service.
