Conservatives Demand Ethics Inquiry into Angela Rayner’s Tax Affairs

The Conservative Party has called for an ethics investigation into the tax affairs of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. This request follows allegations reported by The Telegraph, which claim that Ms. Rayner saved £40,000 in stamp duty when acquiring a second home in Hove valued at £800,000.

According to the newspaper, Ms. Rayner avoided a higher stamp duty rate by removing her name from the deed of a family property located in Greater Manchester. The move has raised questions about the legitimacy of her tax arrangements. Furthermore, Ms. Rayner has previously indicated that the property in Greater Manchester remains her primary residence, allowing her to save approximately £2,000 in council tax on her official residence in Admiralty House, London.

In response to these conflicting reports, the Conservatives have referred Ms. Rayner to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests. Sir Laurie’s role involves evaluating whether senior government officials have violated the ministerial code. The Conservative Party chairman, Kevin Hollinrake, characterized Ms. Rayner’s actions as “hypocritical tax avoidance,” particularly as she advocates for higher taxes on family and second homes.

Mr. Hollinrake stated, “She is paying second homes council tax to Brighton and Hove council on a property that she tells HMRC is not a second home. This may be lawful, but it is inappropriate tax avoidance for a minister subject to higher standards of conduct.” He acknowledged that while Ms. Rayner has not broken any laws, the situation reflects a troubling inconsistency in her statements regarding her residency.

In addition to the ethics inquiry, the Conservatives have contacted Tameside council, which oversees her Greater Manchester home, requesting that she be removed from the electoral register if the property is no longer her primary residence.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office stated that Ms. Rayner “has followed advice on the allocation of her official residence at all times.” Ms. Rayner’s team responded to the allegations by asserting that the Deputy Prime Minister paid the necessary duty for the purchase of her Hove property “in line with relevant requirements and entirely properly.” They further claimed that any suggestion to the contrary is “entirely without basis.”

Following her divorce, Ms. Rayner relinquished her stake in the Greater Manchester home but maintains that it is her primary residence because her children continue to live there. The unfolding situation raises important questions about the ethical responsibilities of public officials, particularly regarding their financial dealings and claims of residency. The outcomes of the ethics inquiry, along with public sentiment on these issues, may significantly impact Ms. Rayner’s political standing and the broader Conservative Party narrative.