Angela Rayner has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over claims she avoided tax on the sale of a home, with the Labour deputy leader criticising what she called the “desperate tactics” of Conservative MPs who urged police to investigate.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said any allegations that Rayner should have paid capital gains tax or council tax would not fall under their jurisdiction, and that details of their investigation had been shared with Stockport Council and HM Revenue and Customs. It is understood neither body plans to take action. Stockport Council said it had “reviewed and responded to all correspondence relating to this matter” and concluded that no further action would be taken on its behalf.
The investigation centred on the sale of a property Rayner bought in 2007 for £79,000 under the right-to-buy scheme and sold in 2015 for £127,500, a profit of £48,500. Because it was designated as her principal residence, the profit was not liable for capital gains tax. Some Conservatives alleged this was misleading, arguing she primarily lived at her then-husband’s address. Married couples who own separate properties can have only one main residence between them under tax law.
Rayner had previously said she would resign as deputy leader if she were found to have broken the law. Following the police decision, she said: “We have seen the Conservative party use this playbook before – reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their dire record. I am grateful to all those who have stood by and supported me and my family.”
Keir Starmer said he was “obviously pleased” and that he never doubted Rayner had done anything wrong. The development follows a separate police inquiry into Starmer over alleged lockdown breaches in 2022, which also ended in no action. Michael Barton, the former chief constable of Durham Police, criticised the use of police to target political rivals, saying politicians should know better and such inquiries place huge strain on forces.
