Angela Rayner has been cleared of deliberate wrongdoing in an investigation over her tax affairs, paving the way for a potential leadership bid. The former deputy Labour leader revealed that she has paid £40,000 in stamp duty and that the HMRC probe is now closed, removing a significant obstacle to her political ambitions.
Leadership Challenge Looms
With Health Secretary Wes Streeting expected to launch a challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer today, Rayner has refused to rule out running in any race but said she would not “trigger” a contest. Streeting is widely tipped to be on the brink of a leadership challenge, with one ally suggesting he would resign today.
Efforts to oust the Prime Minister were underway by many in the party last night, with supporters of Mr Streeting understood to be ringing MPs asking for their support. This follows a difficult King's Speech that did little to calm growing unrest within the party.
Dozens of MPs have called for Starmer to step down, and four Government ministers, including Jess Phillips, have quit and urged him to go. Rumours continue to swirl over Andy Burnham, whose supporters insist he could announce an MP will stand down for him to run as soon as today.
Rayner's Vow to Make a Difference
Angela Rayner has vowed to make a difference regardless of whether she runs for leader but admitted the investigation into her underpayment of stamp duty, which led to her departure from Government, “clipped her wings”. She said: “I’ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it’s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes.”
In an interview with ITV, the former deputy Labour leader denied she had done a deal with potential leadership contender Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, whose path back to Westminster would be complicated by needing to fight and win a by-election, adding: “I am not doing deals.” She said she wanted the party to “pull together” after days of turmoil but added she did not want to talk about “hypotheticals” when asked whether she would run in a future contest.
Leadership Election the 'Wrong Choice'
Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray insisted Keir Starmer could win a future Labour leadership contest. Asked whether he believed the Prime Minister would survive and fight a leadership election, he told Times Radio: “Yes. He’s said that, he said that on Monday in response to a question after his speech on Monday that he would if there were one. But I repeat my earlier point, I think having a leadership election would be the wrong choice for us to take.”
Murray also claimed he would rather not talk about a leadership election, saying: “I have come on as a Treasury minister and I'd really like to discuss the growth figures.”
