Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner will face no police action over her past council house sale, Greater Manchester Police has confirmed. The force investigated whether Ms Rayner paid the correct tax on the property and was registered to vote at the right address.
The row began after an unauthorised biography by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft questioned her living arrangements. Ms Rayner bought her former council house in Vicarage Road, Stockport under the right-to-buy scheme in 2007 and sold it in 2015 for £48,500 more than she paid. She initially said she did not pay Capital Gains Tax as it was her main home, but questions arose over whether the tax was due after her marriage in 2010.
Police also examined whether Ms Rayner gave false information on the electoral roll. She was reportedly registered at the Vicarage Road address until the sale but listed her husband's home on Lowndes Lane for two child registrations in 2010. A Labour spokesperson said Ms Rayner spent time at her husband's house but her owned home remained her main residence.
The investigation concluded with no further police action, but the force referred the matter to HM Revenue and Customs and Stockport Council. HMRC determined Ms Rayner owed no capital gains tax, and the council also declined to pursue action. Ms Rayner welcomed the outcome, accusing the Conservative Party of 'desperate tactics' to distract from 'their dire record'.
