The Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Minister Angela Rayner has resigned after the Prime Minister’s standards advisor Sir Laurie Magnus concluded that she breached the ministerial code.
Rayner admitted to Sky News that she did not pay the correct amount of stamp duty to buy another home.
Sir Laurie praised Rayner for “full and open cooperation in assisting me with my inquiries” as she breached the rules.
Sir Laurie wrote, “It is highly unfortunate, however, that Ms Rayner failed to pay the correct rate of SDLT [stamp duty] on this purchase, particularly given her status and responsibilities as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and as Deputy Prime Minister.
“She believed that she relied on the legal advice she had received, but unfortunately did not heed the caution contained within it, which acknowledged that it did not constitute expert tax advice and which suggested that expert advice be sought.”
He said that he is “conscious of the acute challenges ministers face” with their responsibilities as Ministers and their personal lives.
He said, “the responsibility of any taxpayer for reporting their tax returns and settling their liabilities rests ultimately on themselves alone.”
He said in conclusion, “I believe Ms Rayner has acted with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service.
“I consider, however, that her unfortunate failure to settle her SDLT liability at the correct level, coupled with the fact that this was established only following intensive public scrutiny, leads me to advise you that, in relation to this matter, she cannot be considered to have met the “highest possible standards of proper conduct” as envisaged by the Code.
“Accordingly, it is with deep regret that I must advise you that in these circumstances, I consider the Code to have been breached.”
The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said, “Angela Rayner is finally gone. But it’s only because of Keir Starmer’s weakness that she wasn’t sacked three days ago. Britain deserves better.”
In her resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer Rayner wrote, “I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as Housing Secretary and my complex family arrangements.
“I take full responsibility for this error. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat that it was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.”
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