Keir Starmer defends ‘incredible’ Angela Rayner over flat purchase row
Starmer says public should be ‘proud’ of Rayner amid furore over flat
- Sir Keir Starmer has publicly defended deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, praising her as a "great story of British success" of whom the public should be “proud”.
- Ms Rayner is facing scrutiny over her recent £800,000 flat purchase in Hove after reportedly saving £40,000 in stamp duty because she removed her name from the deeds of a family property in Ashton-under-Lyne.
- That means the Hove flat is the only property she owns, although she still considers the Ashton-under-Lyne property her primary residence as her children live there.
- The Conservative Party has called for an ethics inquiry by Sir Laurie Magnus to investigate whether Ms Rayner has breached the ministerial code and to clarify allegations of tax avoidance.
- A spokesperson said that a court order currently restricts Ms Rayner from providing more information, which she is actively working to resolve for public transparency.