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 but has not paid any penalty, and HMRC confirmed there was no tax avoidance.
In an interview, Rayner said she had been “bruised” by the experience, which she felt “clipped my wings” and created the impression she was “in it for myself” rather than on the side of ordinary people. The investigation had hung over her since she resigned from the cabinet last September.
With the investigation resolved, Rayner indicated she may run in a potential Labour leadership contest. She said she wanted to “play my part” and understood why MPs were upset after last week’s election defeat. She urged Keir Starmer to “reflect on” stepping aside.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is preparing to launch a leadership challenge on Thursday if he can secure enough MP support. This has sparked a scramble on the left to find a candidate, with Ed Miliband and Rayner as possible contenders. Rayner did not rule out endorsing a soft-left rival if they had a better chance of success.
Rayner declined to say whether Starmer should fight any challenge, stating it was a matter for him. She stressed the need for “actions, not just words” and said the pace of change had not been enough for voters. She also criticised the blocking of Andy Burnham from re-entering parliament, calling for unity and an end to factionalism.
