Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is at the centre of a escalating political storm after Greater Manchester Police confirmed it has opened a formal investigation into allegations concerning the sale of her former council house.
The probe, which follows a complaint from Conservative MP James Daly, will examine whether Ms Rayner, the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, breached electoral law, committed council tax fraud, or avoided capital gains tax on the 2015 sale of her ex-council property in Stockport.
The Core of the Allegations
The controversy hinges on claims about whether the property in Vicarage Road was, in fact, her principal residence. Critics allege that Ms Rayner may have falsely declared it as her main home to avoid paying capital gains tax on the profit from the sale, while simultaneously listing herself as living at a separate address for electoral purposes.
Ms Rayner has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing. She has previously stated that she followed all the rules and that the house was her principal residence, meaning no capital gains tax was due. She has also accused the Conservatives of a politically motivated "smear campaign" to distract from their own troubles.
Mounting Political Pressure
The decision by Greater Manchester Police to investigate marks a significant escalation of the issue. It follows a series of questions from Tory MPs and media scrutiny that had refused to die down.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has so far stood by his deputy, expressing full confidence in her. However, the formal police involvement undoubtedly increases the political stakes, threatening to become a major distraction for a party riding high in the polls.
Should the investigation find evidence of misconduct, it could have serious implications for Ms Rayner's political career and position within the shadow cabinet.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on Greater Manchester Police as they conduct their inquiries. The force has stated it is "investigating whether any offences have been committed." There is no current timeframe for the conclusion of the investigation.
For now, Angela Rayner remains in post, battling allegations that strike at the heart of personal integrity and financial propriety—the very issues political opponents often weaponise. The outcome of this probe will be crucial, not just for her future, but for the political narrative in the run-up to the next general election.
