Rayner Claims ‘Scapegoat’ Status as Stamp Duty Underpayment probe Looms
LONDON – Angela Rayner, Labor’s Deputy Leader and Housing Secretary, has asserted she and her firm are being used as “scapegoats” in the fallout over a £40,000 stamp duty underpayment on the 2021 purchase of an £800,000 property. Rayner maintains she acted in good faith and followed advice received at the time, initially paying £30,000 based on information provided.
The firm involved in the transaction stated they believed they had “done everything correctly” and are not qualified to provide advice on trust and tax matters,consistently advising clients to seek expert counsel in those areas. Ms. Rayner’s comments came as she referred herself to the Prime Minister’s ethics watchdog, wiht a report on her conduct anticipated as early as Friday afternoon. She admitted to the underpayment following recent fresh legal advice.
The controversy places labour leader Keir Starmer under increasing pressure, as he declined five times today to state whether rayner woudl be sacked should she be found to have breached the ministerial code. Starmer said he would “make a decision on what I see,” emphasizing the need to await the self-reliant advisor’s findings. The Conservative party has called for Rayner’s resignation,referencing past statements from the Prime Minister that any minister making a “serious breach of the rules” would be dismissed.
