Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly declined to confirm whether he would dismiss Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner if an inquiry finds she breached the ministerial code.
Gatekeepers News reports that Rayner referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministers’ interests, after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove. She said the error arose from “incorrect legal advice which failed to properly take account” of her circumstances.
Her allies insist she acted on professional advice from her conveyancer and two trust law experts. However, the conveyancing firm involved has said it did not provide tax advice, only calculating stamp duty “based on the facts and information provided to us.”
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Keir said he would “of course act” on Sir Laurie’s report, which he expected to be “comprehensive” and delivered quickly. But he would not say whether Rayner would be sacked.
“I do think in the end we need to establish the facts, which the independent adviser will do and come to a conclusion,” he said.
“I completely accept that, to make a decision based on what I see in that report.”
Sir Keir rejected comparisons with Boris Johnson’s decision to keep Priti Patel as home secretary despite a finding she had broken the code, arguing that he had strengthened both the code and the adviser’s role since becoming prime minister.
Rayner, who cannot be removed as Labour’s deputy leader because she was elected to that role by party members, has expressed regret: “I deeply regret the error that has been made. I am committed to resolving this matter fully and providing the transparency that public service demands.”
The Conservatives and Reform UK have called on Rayner to resign. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of hypocrisy:
“Time and time again he has said that if this situation happens he would instantly sack people… When the shoe was on the other foot he went after people for this same scenario – as did Angela Rayner. Now what we are seeing is hypocrisy.”
Rayner’s property purchase was handled by Verrico & Associates, a small conveyancing firm in Kent. Its founder Joanna Verrico said:“We believe that we did everything correctly and in good faith… [The firm] does not deal with trusts or offer tax advice.”
The report by Sir Laurie Magnus could be published as soon as Friday. The final decision on Rayner’s future will rest with the prime minister.
