Tories say Starmer must launch probe into Rayner
SIR Keir Starmer has been challenged to open an investigation into Angela Rayner’s tax affairs as the row over her housing arrangements escalated last night.
Ms Rayner is facing demands to explain her past living status amid claims she may have escaped paying capital gains tax.
It is also alleged she may have made a false declaration about where she was living on the electoral register amid confusion about her principal residence.
The mother of three has repeatedly refused to publish tax advice that she claims exonerates her – and she has not shown it to Sir Keir.
If found guilty, she could face a criminal conviction and a fine for a false declaration on the electoral roll.
Labour’s deputy leader has insisted that for many years her “principal property” was a house in Stockport, where she claimed to live separately from her husband and children for the first five years of her marriage. But postings made by Ms Rayner on social media in that period show her life with her children and cats at her husband’s address.
One of the photos from the property she claims was not her principal home was even posted with the caption “just got home”.
James Daly, deputy chairman of the Conservatives, said: “Sir Keir Starmer must show some leadership and open a full independent investigation into the Rayner scandal.
“It is increasingly clear the British people cannot trust Labour’s deputy leader. She should stop dismissing and distracting and come clean now.”
David Lammy, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, suggested the story was an attempt by the Tories to distract from the May 2 local elections.