Deputy Prime Minister and Greater Manchester MP Angela Rayner is to leave the Government after The ethics investigation into her found that she broke the Ministerial Code over her property tax affairs
In her letter to the Prime Minister Kier Starmer she said that she had always taken her responsibilities as Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as well as a Member of Parliament with the utmost seriousness.
”I have long believed that people who serve the British public in government must always observe the highest standards, and while the Independent Adviser has concluded that I acted in good faith and with honesty and integrity throughout, I accept that I did not meet the highest standards in relation to my recent property purchase.”
She said she deeply regret her decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as Housing Secretary and my complex family arrangements.
”I take full responsibility for this error. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat that it was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.”
She added that she must also consider the significant toll that the ongoing pressure of the media is taking on my family.
While I rightly expect proper scrutiny on me and my life, my family did not choose to have their private lives interrogated and exposed so publicly. I have been clear throughout this process that my priority has, and always will be, protecting my children and the strain I am putting them under through staying in post has become unbearable.
The resignation will be seen as a big blow to Kier Starmer’s government
