Angela Rayner has stated that she has been exonerated of any intentional misconduct following an inquiry into her tax affairs, potentially clearing the path for a leadership bid as questions swirl around Sir Keir Starmer's position.
Rayner's Statement on the Investigation
The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne confirmed that the probe into her underpayment of stamp duty, which ultimately led to her departure from government, had 'clipped her wings'. However, she emphasised that she would not instigate a contest against the Prime Minister.
'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,' Rayner said, when asked about her leadership intentions.
Leadership Contest Speculation
The development comes as Health Secretary Wes Streeting contemplates whether to mount a challenge to Sir Keir. Rayner did not dismiss the possibility of entering any future race but reiterated she would not be the one to trigger it.
In a recent poll conducted by the Daily Mail, readers were asked: 'Would Andy Burnham be a good prime minister?' Of over 18,000 votes cast, 82 per cent responded 'no', while 18 per cent said 'yes'. The same poll now invites readers to weigh in on whether Rayner would be a suitable Labour leader.
