U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is under scrutiny after claims she avoided a £40,000 stamp duty bill by removing her name from the deeds of her Greater Manchester home before buying an £800,000 seaside flat in Hove.
The move, while legal, has drawn accusations of “hypocritical tax avoidance” from Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake, who has referred her to the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, for investigation. Critics highlight that Rayner informed councils differently about her primary residence and that taxpayers are covering her council tax at Admiralty House.
While Labour allies defend her actions as “proper and legal”, opponents argue her past criticism of tax avoidance makes the controversy particularly damaging, with some Labour MPs admitting the saga undermines her credibility.
Tories labelled the tax dodge “hypocritical tax avoidance”.
“This may be lawful, but it is inappropriate tax avoidance for a minister subject to higher standards of conduct,” wrote party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake.
“It is in this light that I believe the ministerial code has been breached, and her tax affairs are not in good order. This directly engages her conduct as a minister.
“Her wider behaviour as a minister is unethical and lacks integrity, and this necessitates a formal investigation of whether the ministerial code has been breached.
“If so, at the very least, an appropriate sanction could be to strip her of her ministerial residence.”
Do as I say not as I do, because I’m a politician, above the law and protected by the law.
Ah, money !! the more you get the less it seems to be enough.
Shameless labour pretending to represent ‘ working” class.