KUALA LUMPUR – British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after an investigation found she had breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on a property purchase.
Rayner, who also held the role of Housing Secretary and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, admitted earlier this week that she had failed to pay the correct amount of tax on her flat in Hove, BBC reported.
She referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser, who later concluded that she had ignored legal advice on the matter.
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Rayner stated: “Given the findings, and the impact on my family, I have therefore decided to resign.”
She also accepted full responsibility for the error, expressing regret for not seeking further specialist tax advice.
Despite the breach, ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus praised Rayner for her “integrity” and “dedicated commitment to public service.” However, he maintained that the ministerial code had been violated.
Rayner’s resignation follows reports suggesting she had saved £40,000 (US$53,000) by removing her name from the deeds of another property. She explained that after her 2023 divorce, she sold her share of the family home to a trust fund for her son’s future and used the funds to purchase the flat.
Prime Minister Starmer expressed sadness at her departure, calling her a “trusted colleague” and “true friend” and emphasising that Rayner would remain a key figure in the Labour Party.
The resignation is expected to trigger a reshuffle in the party, with some critics, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, accusing Starmer of weak leadership in handling the issue. – September 5, 2025