Westminster is gripped by a mounting property scandal that threatens to derail the new Labour government's integrity agenda, as explosive allegations emerge about Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's tax affairs.
The £40,000 Question
Fresh investigations suggest Ms. Rayner may have avoided approximately £40,000 in stamp duty land tax through questionable property arrangements. The controversy centres on whether she correctly declared her primary residence during a property flip between two homes she owned in Stockport.
Starmer's Leadership Under Fire
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first major leadership test as he resists mounting pressure to sack his deputy. Critics accuse him of "spinelessness" for failing to take decisive action while supporters maintain due process must be followed.
Property Timeline Exposed
Documents reveal Ms. Rayner purchased a former council house through the right-to-buy scheme in 2007, while simultaneously owning another property with her then-husband. The key allegation suggests she may have falsely declared the council house as her main residence to avoid capital gains tax and stamp duty liabilities when selling.
Political Fallout Intensifies
Opposition parties have seized upon the scandal, with Tory MPs demanding a full HMRC investigation. The controversy strikes at the heart of Labour's commitment to transparency and tax fairness, creating an embarrassing first challenge for the new government.
What Happens Next?
All eyes remain on Downing Street as Starmer weighs his options. With parliamentary scrutiny intensifying and ethical questions multiplying, this scandal shows no signs of abating—potdefining the early days of Labour's administration.
