Angela Rayner Defends Against Allegations Amidst Police Review: Workers’ Rights and Regional Inequality on Agenda

Angela Rayner has staunchly defended her actions, asserting that she committed “absolutely nothing wrong” in selling her council house, despite a review by the police following a complaint by Conservative MP James Daly. The deputy Labour leader expressed confidence that she had not violated any rules during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program.

Greater Manchester Police have reopened their assessment regarding potential breaches of electoral law after allegations surfaced suggesting Rayner may have evaded capital gains tax (CGT) on the sale of her council property before assuming her role as an MP. These claims were initially raised in a book by former Tory deputy chair Lord Ashcroft, which implied Rayner had failed to properly declare her primary residence.

Rayner emphasized that she had sought and followed tax advice at the time, maintaining she had adhered to the correct procedures. However, she declined to disclose this advice publicly, citing concerns for her family’s privacy. She affirmed her willingness to provide the information to the police or HMRC if requested.

Rayner argued that the accusations against her were politically motivated, particularly given the pressure exerted by Conservative officials. While acknowledging Boris Johnson’s efforts to address regional inequality through his “levelling up” agenda, Rayner criticized the Tories for abandoning this initiative and redirecting funds away from affected areas.

Despite criticism from former business secretary Peter Mandelson, Rayner affirmed her commitment to advancing workers’ rights reforms, including banning zero-hours contracts and bolstering labor protections. She maintained that the current climate of insecure employment adversely impacts both workers and employers, advocating for a balanced approach to address these concerns.