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The Labour Party reacted with relief after deputy leader Angela Rayner, who was accused of lying over the sale of her home, was cleared of wrongdoing by police and tax authorities.
Greater Manchester Police said it would not take any action against the Ashton-under-Lyne MP after being reported by a Conservative party official.
HMRC is also believed to have concluded that she will not have to pay any extra tax arising from the sale of her house in 2015.
Mr Rayner, who had promised to resign if charged with a crime, claimed the allegations against him were a “desperate tactic” by the Conservative party.
According to media reports, before she became an MP, she lied about the location of her primary residence while her husband lived in another house nearby.
This could leave her liable to pay capital gains tax on the profit from the sale of her home, and also raised questions about whether she may have violated election laws by declaring an incorrect address.
Conservative deputy leader for Bury North, Councillor James Daly, reported her to the police, who launched an investigation.
But Greater Manchester Police said on Tuesday: “Following the allegations made against Councillor Angela Rayner, Greater Manchester Police has conducted a thorough and careful review and completed an appropriate investigation. Police have concluded that no further action will be taken.”
The force added: “Matters relating to council and personal tax are outside the police’s jurisdiction. GMP has been in contact with Stockport Council and information about the investigation has been shared with the council. Details of the investigation have also been shared with Inland Revenue and Customs.”
Mr Rayner responded, “The Conservatives have used this tactic before – calling the police on their political opponents during election campaigns to distract from their own dismal record. After 14 years of failure, people are tired of these desperate tactics from a Conservative government that has nothing to say.”
And Sir Keir Starmer added: “I’m of course pleased that they have reached this conclusion. I never doubted that Angela did anything wrong and now she has been completely exonerated by the police.”
As well as being exonerated by police, HMRC also found Mr Rayner had not paid any capital gains tax. I We understand that. The tax authorities do not comment on individual cases.
Stockport Council said it would not take any action over claims that she had underpaid council tax.
Asked if he regretted the Conservative allegations against Labour’s deputy leader, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Channel 4 News: “No, I don’t think I regret it. My understanding is that the police pass information on to local authorities, which may be for council tax issues and of course they pass it on to HMRC which may be for tax issues.”
A Conservative spokesman added: “As tax expert and Labour member Dan Needle says, Mr Rayner has yet to offer an explanation. Sir Keir Starmer could easily resolve this issue by simply reading and publishing the tax advice which Labour purports to exonerate its under-referred Deputy First Minister.”
2024 Election
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So far the Conservatives have introduced controversial national service policies that have drawn mixed reactions across the political spectrum, as well as a “triple lock plus” for pensioners, while Starmer outlined some of Labour’s key policies and assured voters he could be trusted on the economy and national security.
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