Angela Rayner has been cleared by HM Revenue and Customs of any deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness regarding her tax affairs, according to a Guardian report. The investigation focused on stamp duty paid on a flat in Hove, which was seen as a potential obstacle to any future leadership bid.
The findings come as Keir Starmer’s leadership faces growing uncertainty, with Rayner now positioned as a possible successor. The HMRC inquiry examined whether she had properly declared her primary residence when selling the property.
Rayner has consistently denied any misconduct, and the clearance removes a significant political vulnerability. The Hove flat was at the centre of allegations that she may have avoided capital gains tax by claiming it as her main home.
The resolution of this tax investigation is likely to strengthen Rayner’s standing within the Labour Party, as speculation over Starmer’s future intensifies.
