Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy prime minister and housing secretary after failing to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove.
I wonder if she awards herself a final payoff?
She has also stepped down as deputy Labour leader, a move which is expected to trigger a new deputy leadership election by party members.
Her departure comes after the prime minister’s ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus said Rayner had “acted with integrity” but concluded that she had breached the ministerial code.
He said she did get legal advice when buying the property, but failed to seek further expert tax advice as recommended.
Writing to the PM, Rayner said she accepted she “did not meet the highest standards” when purchasing her property.
“I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as housing secretary and my complex family arrangements.”
Rayner said she took “full responsibility for this error”, adding: “It was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.”
Her resignation is a huge blow for the prime minister who began the week with a shake-up of his Downing Street team in the hope of putting a difficult first year in government behind him.
It also kicked off a big reshuffle of ministers at the top of government, with David Lammy leaving his foreign secretary role to replace Rayner as deputy prime minister.
Lammy also takes on the justice secretary role, while Shabana Mahmood moves to the Home Office and Yvette Cooper becomes foreign secretary.
Steve Reed becomes the new housing secretary, a role which will see him responsible for delivering on one of the government’s key pledges of building 1.5 million homes by 2029.
Other ministers to be moved include Liz Kendall from work and pensions secretary to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Details of a deputy leadership election are expected to be announced in due course.
The contest could create a severe political headache for the prime minister, as it has the potential to become a vehicle for MPs and members to voice their discontent at Sir Keir’s leadership.
In a handwritten reply to Rayner, Sir Keir said: “Although I believe you have reached the right decision, it is a decision which I know is very painful for you.
“You have given your all to making the Labour government a success and you have been a central part of our plan to make Britain fairer for working families.
“On a personal note, I am very sad to be losing you from the government. You have been a trusted colleague and a true friend for many years. I have nothing but admiration for you and huge respect for your achievement in politics.”
He concluded that Rayner would remain “a major figure” in the Labour Party.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Angela Rayner is finally gone. But it’s only because of Keir Starmer’s weakness that she wasn’t sacked three days ago.”
