Angela Rayner has admitted she didn’t pay the correct amount of stamp obligation on the acquisition of her second dwelling and has referred herself to the impartial adviser on ministerial requirements.
Ms Rayner, who can also be the housing secretary, has been beneath scrutiny after a report in The Each day Telegraph claimed she prevented £40,000 in stamp obligation on a flat in Hove by eradicating her identify from the deeds of one other property in Better Manchester.
In a prolonged assertion launched right now, she mentioned it was a “complex living arrangement” as her first dwelling was bought to a belief following her divorce to supply stability for her teenage son, who has lifelong disabilities and is the only beneficiary of the belief.
She mentioned preliminary authorized recommendation was that the usual price of stamp obligation utilized, however following media reviews, she sought knowledgeable counsel who mentioned extra tax is due.
She added that these issues had been confidential however she utilized to a courtroom yesterday to get this lifted within the pursuits of public transparency.
In a subsequent interview with Beth Rigby, a visibly upset Ms Rayner mentioned: “I’ve been in shock, actually, as a result of I assumed I’d accomplished every little thing correctly, and I relied on the recommendation that I obtained and I’m devastated as a result of I’ve at all times upheld the principles and at all times have felt proud to do this.
“That it is devastating for me and the fact that the reason why those confidential clauses were in place was to protect my son, who, through no fault of his own, he’s vulnerable, he’s got this life changing, lifelong conditions and I don’t want him or anything to do with his day-to-day life, to be subjected to that level of scrutiny.”
Requested if she considered quitting somewhat than disclose the main points about her son, the cupboard minister added: “I spoke to my family about it. I spoke to my ex-husband, who has been an incredibly supportive person because he knows that all I’ve done is try and support my family and help them.”
PM backs Rayner
Her feedback got here shortly earlier than the primary PMQs following the summer time recess. Tory chief Kemi Badenoch mentioned Sir Keir Starmer ought to fireplace his deputy.
“If he had backbone, he would sack her,” she mentioned.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
2:09
2:09Starmer defends Rayner amid requires sacking
Nevertheless, the prime minister defended Ms Rayner, saying he’s “very proud” to take a seat alongside her.
“She’s gone over and above in setting out the details, including yesterday afternoon asking a court to lift a confidentiality order in relation to her own son,” the prime minister mentioned.
“I am very proud to sit alongside a deputy prime minister who is building 1.5m homes, who is bringing the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, and has come from a working-class background to become deputy prime minister of this country.”
Picture:Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended Angela Rayner in PMQs. Pic: PA
Key factors from Rayner assertion
In a prolonged assertion, Ms Rayner mentioned that following the divorce from her husband in 2023, they agreed to a nesting association the place their kids would stay of their household dwelling, in Ashton-under-Lyne, whereas they alternated dwelling there.
She mentioned she bought her curiosity in that dwelling to a belief earlier this 12 months, earlier than shopping for the property in Hove.
Picture:Angela Rayner arrived in Downing Road for Cupboard on Tuesday. Pic: PA
The belief was initially arrange in 2020 to handle a cost to one in every of her sons after a “deeply personal and distressing incident” as a untimely child that left him with lifelong disabilities
The house had been tailored for her son and the sale to the belief was to offer him “the security of knowing the home is his”, Ms Rayner mentioned.
She went on to say that she didn’t personal every other dwelling when she purchased the flat in Hove, and her understanding “on advice from lawyers, was that my circumstances meant I was liable for the standard rate of stamp duty”.
She added: “Nevertheless, given the latest allegations within the press I’ve subsequently sought additional recommendation from a number one tax counsel to assessment that place and to make sure I’m totally compliant with all tax provisions.
“I have now been advised that although I did not own any other property at the time of the purchase, the application of complex deeming provisions which relate to my son’s trust gives rise to additional stamp duty liabilities.”
Ms Rayner mentioned she is working with HMRC to determine what’s owed, claiming her preparations “reflect the reality that family life is rarely straightforward”.
She concluded: “I deeply remorse the error that has been made. I’m dedicated to resolving this matter totally and offering the transparency that public service calls for.
“It is for that reason I have today referred myself to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, and will provide him with my fullest cooperation and access to all the information he requires.”
Watch and take heed to the total Electoral Dysfunction interview on Wednesday afternoon – www.podfollow.com/electoraldysfunction
