Rayner will have ‘big role’ in election, says campaign boss
ANGELA RAYNER is an “enormous asset” to Labour and will have a “big role to play” in the general election campaign, the party’s election chief has said.
The comment by Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign coordinator, provides an indication of why the party has stuck by the embattled deputy leader despite continuing questions over her former living arrangements.
Greater Manchester Police is currently investigating multiple allegations against Ms Rayner, including potential breaches of electoral law and tax matters relating to a sale of a property .
Ms Rayner has faced scrutiny about whether she should have paid capital gains on the sale of her council house on Vicarage Road, Stockport, owing to confusion about whether it was her principal residence or whether she was living with her then-husband at a separate address on Lowndes Lane.
Mr McFadden was asked whether he believed the questions hanging over Labour’s deputy leader had cut through to voters preparing to head to the polls in this Thursday’s local elections.
Mr McFadden, who is also shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “I don’t know how much the public have followed the details of this. The Greater Manchester Police have to do their job and it’s right that they do.
“But Angela has said that she will give them the full facts, and, you know, I think I’m confident that she’s done nothing wrong.”
He went on: “Over and above that, as the campaign coordinator for the general election, I think Angela Rayner is an enormous asset to the Labour Party. I think she will have a big role to play in the general election and I want her to play a big role whenever it comes.”
Ms Rayner has said she is “completely confident I’ve followed the rules at all times”.