In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through Westminster, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned from her post following an escalating row over allegations she avoided paying stamp duty on a property sale a decade ago.
The Ashton-under-Lyne MP stepped down on Friday afternoon after days of mounting pressure and intense media scrutiny. The controversy centres on the sale of her former council house in Stockport in 2015, with questions raised about whether she should have paid stamp duty land tax and whether it was genuinely her principal residence at the time of sale.
Mounting Pressure and Legal Questions
Rayner had faced growing calls to publish tax advice she received regarding the transaction. While she consistently maintained she had done nothing wrong and had received professional advice confirming her position, the political pressure became unsustainable.
In her resignation statement, Rayner expressed that the ongoing distraction was "detrimental to the government's work" and that she was stepping down to "clear my name and fully address the questions that have been raised."
A Major Blow to Starmer's Government
The departure of his deputy represents the first major crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's relatively new administration. Rayner has been a key ally and a prominent figure on the left of the party, serving as both Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Downing Street has acknowledged her resignation but has not yet announced a successor. The Prime Minister is expected to make a statement later today.
What Happens Next?
Rayner has indicated she will cooperate fully with any investigations and intends to "pursue all available avenues to resolve this matter." The controversy is likely to continue dominating political headlines in the coming days, posing a significant challenge for a government still establishing its authority.
The resignation underscores the intense scrutiny facing senior politicians over their personal financial affairs and the potential for historical transactions to derail modern political careers.
