Angela Rayner: Police reveal investigation into council house row

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has revealed that investigations are underway into Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, following allegations of electoral law breaches.

The police had previously dismissed the need for an inquiry into accusations that she had given false address information.

But a report in The Times yesterday revealed that police had still not spoken with neighbours over Ms Rayner’s version of events over where she was living.

The focus of the police investigation is whether Ms Rayner registered an incorrect property on the electoral roll.

This inquiry is separate from any potential tax law violations, which would fall under the jurisdiction of HMRC.

Police investigation into Ms Rayner

The reopening of the police investigation into Ms Rayner follows a complaint by James Daly, deputy chairman of the Tory party.

A GMP spokesperson said: “We’re investigating whether any offences have been committed. This follows a reassessment of the information provided to us by Mr Daly.”

Ms Rayner has denied any wrongdoing and has received support from Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Angela welcomes the chance to set out the facts with the police.

“We remain completely confident that Angela has complied with the rules at all times and it’s now appropriate to let the police do its work.”

May have avoided capital gains tax

The initial accusation came from an unauthorised biography of Ms Rayner by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft which suggested that she may have avoided capital gains tax when selling her former council house in 2015.

That property was registered as her main address on the electoral roll.

But that raised questions about her living arrangements, particularly after the re-registration of her two youngest children’s births.

They were registered at her husband’s separate address shortly after their marriage in 2010.

Ms Rayner has stated that she consulted with tax experts to ensure she did not owe tax but has chosen not to publish the advice she received.

Mr Starmer has backed her, stating he does not need to see the tax advice and accusing the Tories of ‘chasing a smear’ against her.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this week called for both Mr Starmer and Ms Rayner to provide ‘straight’ answers about her tax affairs.

He said that many people, including the deputy Labour leader, had asked him ‘lots of questions’ about his tax affairs.

Grant Shapps levels ‘double standards’ charge at Ms Rayner

The defence secretary Grant Shapps has levelled a charge of ‘double standards’ at Angela Rayner, expressing his approval of the police inquiry into the Labour deputy leader.

He pointed out that Ms Rayner has ‘spent her political career calling people out’ and insisted on transparency – yet she has not demonstrated the same level of openness in relation to the allegations against her.

Despite her previous insistence that a Tory candidate disclose their tax return, Ms Rayner has declined to make public the tax advice she obtained regarding the sale of her council house.

Speaking to the media this morning, Mr Shapps said: “I think the double standards have been extraordinary.

“Angela Rayner herself has spent her political career calling people out for exactly the thing that she seems to be doing now.

“It’s not acceptable to ignore it, and it’s not acceptable for Keir Starmer to say he won’t even read reports into it.

“This is something which is a serious matter. It’s important that it’s looked into properly and I welcome the idea that the police are doing that.”

Starmer says police investigation will bring closure

Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has stated that the police investigation into Angela Rayner’s council house sale will enable closure on the issue.

He expressed his full confidence that Ms Rayner had not violated any rules.

Mr Starmer said: “We welcome this investigation because it will allow a line to be drawn in relation to this matter.

“I am fully confident that Angela Rayner has not broken the rules.

“She will cooperate with the investigation as you would expect, and it is really a matter for the police.”

Sadiq Khan and Ed Miliband rally behind Angela Rayner

London mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed his full confidence in 0Angela Rayner, whom he refers to as his ‘best friend’, and that she will be exonerated in a police investigation.

Mr Khan said: “I’m fully confident in Angela, she’s one of my best friends and I’m sure she’ll be cleared.”

Echoing this sentiment, Ed Miliband, the shadow energy minister, said: “We are absolutely 100% behind Angela.

“We are absolutely confident that she has complied with the rules.”

What are the consequences of breaking electoral law?

If an individual declines to provide information to an Electoral Registration Officer, or provides incorrect information, specific penalties may be enforced.

The rules specify that any individual who does not comply or provides incorrect information may be subject to a summary conviction and a fine not exceeding £1,000.

In cases where the offence is not considered severe enough for a criminal conviction, civil penalties may also be levied.

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