Starmer refuses to confirm if he will sack Rayner pending tax report
Sir Keir Starmer says he will act on his standards adviser’s findings but won’t commit to dismissing Deputy PM Angela Rayner over an underpaid stamp duty inquiry.
Starmer awaits report before deciding on Rayner
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say whether he would sack Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner if his independent standards adviser finds she breached the ministerial code. Rayner referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove.
Claims of hypocrisy from opposition
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of lacking a “backbone” and called his stance hypocritical, noting he had previously pledged to dismiss officials immediately for similar errors. She argued Rayner should have resigned or been sacked once the discrepancy emerged.
Strengthened code and Starmer’s role
Starmer said he has fortified the ministerial code and the adviser’s role since coming to office. While Sir Laurie will determine if the code was breached, the prime minister alone decides on any sanctions. He expects the report soon and said he would “of course act” on its conclusions.
Timeline and legal advice
Rayner’s team initially stated she paid the correct stamp duty. After a lawyer’s review, a KC advised she underpaid. Rayner has expressed regret, calling the underpayment an “error” rooted in flawed legal advice and has vowed to resolve the matter transparently.
Conveyancer’s role under scrutiny
The Hove property was handled by a small conveyancing firm in Kent, which does not specialise in tax advice. Experts say specialist guidance on stamp duty is usually beyond high-street conveyancers’ remit, raising questions about the advice Rayner received.
Starmer insists he will act on the adviser’s findings but stops short of confirming he will sack Rayner until the report is published.
This topic was reported by BBC.
Explore useful articles in World News as of 04-09-2025. The article titled " Starmer refuses to confirm if he will sack Rayner pending tax report " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the World News field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.
The " Starmer refuses to confirm if he will sack Rayner pending tax report " article expands your knowledge in World News, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.