Angela Rayner has been accused of wasting public money after her boyfriend, Sam Tarry, was reportedly driven around by her taxpayer-funded bodyguards. The two close-protection officers, costing thousands of pounds a day, helped Tarry move bags and boxes in a BMW X5 between their homes in Hove and Brighton, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The security experts are employed to protect the former Deputy Prime Minister, but she was not present during the move. Rayner's spokesman confirmed the officers helped move a small number of her possessions, possibly for security reasons. However, critics question why public funds were used for her domestic arrangements.
Tory Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Once again, Labour has serious questions to answer. It is right that MPs and their families are protected from intimidation and violence. But Labour must now explain why Sam Tarry has been making use of Angela Rayner’s taxpayer-funded security and transport.'
John O'Connell of the TaxPayers' Alliance added: 'It's right that politicians in need of security are provided with it. But with that comes a responsibility not to abuse that system. Given the details of this story, it's clear there needs to be an investigation to check that no rules were broken.'
Rayner, who resigned from the Cabinet last month after breaching the Ministerial Code over stamp duty, retains close protection due to security risks. Graffiti targeting her was found outside her Hove property. A spokesman said the security team facilitated the move to minimise risk, but a Commons spokesman declined to comment on individual MPs' security arrangements.
