UK Starmer Tight-Lipped on Rayner's Future Amid Stamp Duty Scandal

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In a dramatic twist, Sir Keir Starmer remains tight-lipped about the fate of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner amidst allegations of breaking the ministerial code. Rayner referred herself to the standards adviser after admitting to underpaying stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove. The error, she claims, stemmed from misleading legal advice.

 

Rayner sought guidance from a conveyancer and two trust law experts. The conveyancing firm involved has distanced itself, stating it did not provide tax advice but only calculated the stamp duty based on provided information. Despite mounting pressure, Starmer has refrained from confirming Rayner's potential dismissal, asserting he will act on the standards adviser's report once it is available.

 

Rayner's situation has drawn comparisons to Boris Johnson's past handling of Priti Patel's ministerial code breach. Starmer has emphasised his administration’s dedication to integrity since taking office, reinforcing the role of the standards adviser. The prime minister alone will decide any subsequent action following the adviser's findings.

 

Sources suggest the report could surface by Friday. Starmer acknowledged that Rayner was seeking further advice concerning her tax payments. Initially, Rayner maintained she paid the correct stamp duty but later, a legal review concluded otherwise. Rayner expressed regret over the underpayment, pledging transparency and resolution, reported the BBC.

 

With support from fellow cabinet members, Starmer expressed pride in working alongside Rayner. Meanwhile, Conservatives and Reform UK have demanded her resignation. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Starmer's alleged hypocrisy, referencing his earlier stance on accountability.

 

Verrico & Associates' management of Rayner's property purchase has come under scrutiny. Joanna Verrico, representing the firm, insists their calculations were accurate based on the facts given, highlighting their lack of involvement in offering tax advice.

 

The identities of the trust experts and their competencies in stamp duty remain undisclosed. As the political saga unfolds, the focus remains firmly on Sir Keir Starmer's next move in this unfolding drama.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-05

 

 

[JonnyF]

Even worse, turns out she used the money she got to care for her disabled son to buy the luxury seafront flat 200 miles away, then tried to dodge stamp duty on it.

 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/angela-rayner-nhs-payout-home-hove-telegraph-b1245908.html

 

 

This lot are lower than a snake's belly.  😆

[brewsterbudgen]

I'll be sorry to her go, but Labour are likely to be more ruthless than the Tories were in similar situations. 

[JonnyF]

8 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I'll be sorry to her go, but Labour are likely to be more ruthless than the Tories were in similar situations. 

 

Doubtful.

 

Slippery Starmer already trying to weasel his way out of it.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce321d2n45vo

 

 

He'll only remove her if there is no other choice. Not because it's "the right thing to do". 

[Jim Blue]

53 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Even worse, turns out she used the money she got to care for her disabled son to buy the luxury seafront flat 200 miles away, then tried to dodge stamp duty on it.

 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/angela-rayner-nhs-payout-home-hove-telegraph-b1245908.html

 

 

This lot are lower than a snake's belly.  😆

I believe she said it is held for the child through a trust fund . She obviously doesn't trust the pound  Can't  say I blame her for that.

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Jim Blue said:

I believe she said it is held for the child through a trust fund .

 

Doesn't matter. The law is clear on stamp duty. She should know it, she's Secretary of State for housing and has access to the best legal advice. 

 

Also look forward to her explaining why she thought the 160k she got to care for her disabled child was best spent on a luxury seafront flat 200 miles away.  

 

1 minute ago, Jim Blue said:

 

 

She obviously doesn't trust the pound  Can't  say I blame her for that.

 

Well, she probably knows how bad Rachel from accounts is better than anyone. Doesn't justify her dodging tax though. 

[Jim Blue]

So following your logic instead of putting the child 's  funds into a luxury apartment she should buy some run down slum  flats and become a Mrs Rachman ?

[EastBayRay]

Lucky she not American the IRS would lock her up

 

is this the rough one who always smoking

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Jim Blue said:

So following your logic instead of putting the child 's  funds into a luxury apartment she should buy some run down slum  flats and become a Mrs Rachman ?

 

The money was to care for the needs of the disabled child. Daycare, education etc. 

 

Not to put it in a trust to try and escape paying stamp duty on a luxury beachfront property 200 miles away.

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, EastBayRay said:

Lucky she not American the IRS would lock her up

 

Yes in Britain we have a 2 tier system. One rule for us and one rule for them as Rayner once famously said.

 

2 minutes ago, EastBayRay said:

 

is this the rough one who always smoking

 

She vapes now. This is her on holiday at the luxury apartment she dodged the stamp duty on.

 

Nice tat BTW. 

 

 

[EastBayRay]

OMG how did that get elected ?

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, EastBayRay said:

OMG how did that get elected ?

 

It's even worse. 

 

"That" is our Deputy PM.

[sammieuk1]

Yesterday the whole cabinet came out in support for the caught out tax evader today...🤔

[EastBayRay]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

It's even worse. 

 

"That" is our Deputy PM.

Really?

 

you guys down bad 

[billd766]

The best thing that Starmer could do is to sack her and try to find someone else who id honest and squeaky clean to replace her. At the same time he could sack and replace Rachel from accounts, who is no use to man or beast.

 

It is no use waiting for them to resign, as they won't. They will simply stay and brazen it out.

[norfolkandchance]

[JonnyF]

32 minutes ago, billd766 said:

It is no use waiting for them to resign, as they won't. They will simply stay and brazen it out.

 

She can't afford to resign. She's got massive mortgages and now a massive tax bill/fine.

 

She likes to party as well.

 

 

Often in Ibiza.

 

 

She won't be resigning unless 2 tier Keir forces her to. And he's already trying to squirm out of it, the weak man and weak leader. 

[EastBayRay]

Jeez she makes kamala Harris look sophisticated and smart and that ain’t easy

[JonnyF]

Seems like Rayner's been telling porkies about the "bad advice". 😆

 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/angela-rayner-lawyers-stamp-duty-tax-hove-flat-keir-starmer-investigation-b1246095.html

 

[JonnyF]

She's gone.

 

Pushed.

 

Good riddance.

 

Draining the swamp. 

 

Labour falling apart.