Angela Rayner Resigns As UK Deputy Prime Minister Over Property Tax Breach

Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has resigned after an investigation concluded she breached the ministerial code by underpaying property tax, marking a major setback for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government.

Rayner, who is highly regarded among Labour’s left-wing supporters, admitted earlier this week that she had underpaid a surcharge on the purchase of a flat and referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser.

In a letter to Starmer, ethics chief Laurie Magnus stated that Rayner failed to “heed the caution” of legal advice she had received, determining that the ministerial code had been breached.

In her resignation letter, Rayner wrote: “I accept that I did not meet the highest standards. I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice. I take full responsibility for this error.” She confirmed she would also step down as housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party.

Responding, Starmer said he was “very sad” to see her go but assured her she would “remain a major figure in our party.”

Rayner’s resignation piles further pressure on Starmer’s government, which has already faced criticism over U-turns on welfare reforms and fuel benefits for pensioners, as well as its failure to curb migrant crossings in small boats. These challenges have boosted Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which is now leading Labour in national polls.

The next general election is not expected before 2029.

Rayner revealed on Wednesday that she underpaid stamp duty on a seaside flat in southern England, following media reports that she had saved £40,000 ($53,000) by removing her name from the deeds of another property.