Angela Rayner has been cleared by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, the Guardian can reveal. The former deputy prime minister has settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty after initially paying the lower rate, but has not paid any penalty as a result of the investigation. HMRC was also satisfied there was no tax avoidance.
In an interview with the Guardian, Rayner said she had been 'bruised' by the whole experience because of the intrusion into her disabled son's personal life, but also because it had appeared as though she was 'in it for myself' rather than on the side of ordinary people. The investigation has hung heavily over the senior Labour MP since she was forced to resign from the cabinet last September.
With Labour on the brink of civil war, Wes Streeting, the health secretary, is preparing to launch a leadership challenge on Thursday if he and his allies can secure the support of enough MPs to trigger a contest. Rayner indicated she may run in the event of a contest, saying she wanted to 'play my part' and that she understood why Labour MPs were so upset following last week's election crushing. She said Keir Starmer should 'reflect on' stepping aside.
Rayner suggested she could enter any leadership contest, should one be triggered by Streeting on Thursday, although sources have said she was not dead set on being the left's candidate. '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,' she said when asked. Rayner did not rule out endorsing a soft left rival if they had a better chance of success in any contest.
But Starmer's former deputy ruled out launching a coup herself. 'I've made it clear that I wasn't going to trigger the prime minister – and that I want to see change. I want to see actions, not just words,' she said. Rayner declined to say whether Starmer should fight any leadership challenge, saying that was a matter for the prime minister. When pressed on whether he should step aside, she said: 'Keir will have to reflect on that.'
Rayner again stressed that Andy Burnham should not have been prevented from re-entering parliament. 'If somebody wants to come and help, and be part of the future that we can deliver, then absolutely we shouldn't be blocking people … We cannot afford to be factional about this. We cannot afford to have egos,' she said. But when asked, she said it would not be appropriate for her to ask Labour MPs in the north-west to stand down from their seats so that he could run.
