Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has moved to contain a growing political storm after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on the purchase of an £800,000 seaside flat in Hove.
Rayner disclosed that she paid £30,000 instead of the £70,000 that should have been due, leaving a £40,000 shortfall. She attributed the mistake to flawed legal advice linked to a trust arrangement involving her former home in Ashton-under-Lyne, which had been placed in trust for her disabled son.
In an attempt to demonstrate transparency, she has referred herself to the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser and contacted HMRC to settle any outstanding liability. Visibly emotional during media interviews, Rayner stressed that she “did not try to dodge any tax” and expressed deep regret over the situation, even admitting she had briefly considered resigning.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, has stood firmly by her, praising her openness and saying he was “very proud” to have her as his deputy. Opposition figures have seized on the controversy, with Conservatives accusing her of hypocrisy given her tough public stance on tax fairness.
The episode has sparked questions about Labour’s credibility at a sensitive political moment, with the party under pressure from Reform UK in opinion polls. While the ethics investigation is expected to clarify the matter, the case highlights how complex family and legal arrangements can quickly become political flashpoints, especially when they involve senior government figures.
