An investigation into Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, has been launched by the Greater Manchester Police over allegations of electoral law violations regarding the sale of her council house. Rayner, who denies the allegations, has been accused of providing false information about her primary residence. The police were prompted to take action by a complaint from James Daly, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. Daly criticised the initially negative response from police and prompted an investigation by alleging that neighbours had contradicted Rayner’s claim that a property separate from her husband’s was her primary residence.
Rayner, whose married name is Bowen, acquired the semi-detached house in 2007, receiving a 25% discount under the Right to Buy scheme introduced by Margaret Thatcher, the former Conservative prime minister. Following the sale eight years later, Rayner is said to have made a profit of £48,500. Tax experts estimate that, depending on her residency status, Rayner may not have been liable for any capital gains tax, though she could have owed as much as £3,500 to HM Revenue and Customs in certain circumstances.
The MP has said she was not liable for taxes on the sale because it was the “only one” she owned, contrary to rules allowing married couples to have only one property as their primary home. Rayner has reportedly sought tax advice to support her case but has not released it. She has asserted that she has done nothing inappropriate and been supported by Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves. Grant Shapps, a Conservative minister, welcomed the Police carrying out a full investigation into this “serious matter” regarding political “double standards”.
“This is something which is a serious matter, it’s important it’s looked into properly. And I welcome the idea that the police are doing that”. She refutes the allegations stating “I have been open and transparent throughout my political career about my living arrangements and, although I was not legally required to, I voluntarily declared the sale of my previous home in the Members’ Register of Interests.
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