Labour’s Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, faces scrutiny over the sale of her former council house amid allegations of evading capital gains tax, a claim she vehemently denies.
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, is currently embroiled in controversy surrounding the sale of her former council house in Stockport, Greater Manchester. Rayner has faced criticism and questions over her tax affairs following suggestions that she might have evaded capital gains tax on the profit from the sale of the property in 2015. These allegations have emerged in the wake of claims made in a book by former Conservative Party deputy chairman, Lord Ashcroft, which insinuated Rayner might not have declared her main residency correctly, leading to speculation about her financial dealings.
Rayner has staunchly defended herself against these allegations, asserting that she sought expert tax advice at the time of the sale and was advised that no capital gains tax was owed. She has contested the claims as a “manufactured” smear campaign aimed at discrediting her, maintaining her innocence and adherence to tax rules. Despite her efforts to clarify her position, questions over whether the property qualified as her main home according to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules have prompted further scrutiny.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has publicly supported Rayner amidst the unfolding controversy. Starmer declared his confidence in Rayner’s integrity and handling of her tax obligations, emphasizing that she had received legal and tax advice to affirm she was not liable for capital gains tax. He underscored his belief in Rayner’s account, despite not having seen the full legal advice himself, and criticized the motives behind the public calls for its release, framing them as politically motivated.
The situation has amplified the spotlight on politicians’ financial dealings and integrity, with Rayner attributing the controversy to a targeted attack by her political opponents. She has dismissed the idea of a police investigation instigated by a Tory MP as part of efforts to tarnish her reputation. As the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party faces these allegations, there is a keen public and media focus on how she navigates these challenges and the broader implications for her political career.
