Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has resigned after an inquiry concluded that she breached the ministerial code by underpaying property tax, dealing a heavy blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
Rayner, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, had referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser earlier this week following reports of the underpayment. In a letter to Starmer, ethics chief Laurie Magnus stated that Rayner had ignored legal advice, thereby breaching the code of conduct.
In her resignation letter, Rayner acknowledged her error, writing, “I accept that I did not meet the highest standards. I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice. I take full responsibility for this error.” She also confirmed her resignation as housing minister and deputy Labour leader.
Prime Minister Starmer responded, expressing his sadness over her departure. “I am very sad to lose you from government,” he wrote, while assuring her that she remained a key figure within the party.
The development adds to the mounting pressure on Starmer’s administration, which is already facing criticism over policy reversals on welfare and fuel subsidies, as well as its handling of small boat migrant crossings. The issue of migration has notably boosted the popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The resignation comes after Rayner admitted to underpaying stamp duty on a seaside flat, with reports alleging she had saved £40,000 ($53,000) by removing her name from another property’s deed.
Source: BBC