Angela Rayner resigns as UK deputy prime minister over stamp duty underpayment

Published on 05/09/2025 - 13:46 GMT+2

The UK's lawman premier minister, Angela Rayner, resigned connected Friday aft an independent enquiry recovered that she did not meet nan ethical standards required for authorities ministers complete a caller location purchase.

On Wednesday, Rayner admitted that she did not salary capable taxation connected nan acquisition of an flat successful Hove connected England’s southbound coast,

Rayner past referred herself to nan independent advisor connected ministerial standards, Laurie Magnus, who delivered his study to Prime Minister Keir Starmer connected Friday.

She said she "deeply regrets nan error" and was "committed to resolving this matter afloat and providing nan transparency that nationalist work demands."

A intelligibly affectional Rayner told Sky News that complications regarding "complex surviving arrangements were stoked by her divorcement successful 2023 and by nan truth that her boy has “life-long disabilities."

"I've been successful shock, really, because I thought I'd done everything properly, and I relied connected nan proposal that I received and I'm devastated because I've ever upheld nan rules and ever person felt proud to do that," she said.

In nan UK, levies are charged connected spot purchases, pinch higher charges owed connected much costly homes and 2nd homes.

Reports suggested that Rayner saved £40,000 (€46,132) by not paying nan due levy, known arsenic stamp duty.

Rayner, who besides held nan lodging little successful nan Labour authorities and forged a estimation arsenic 1 of its astir forthright speakers.

She often railed against those who deliberately underpay tax, peculiarly those successful nan preceding Conservative administration, which Labour replaced successful July 2024.

Starmer said Rayner had made nan correct determination but said he was "very sad" to spot her time off his government.

"I person thing but admiration for you and immense respect for your achievements successful politics," Starmer wrote.

The handwritten missive signed disconnected "with very champion wishes and pinch existent sadness."