Angela Rayner to contest claim of underpaid stamp duty on seaside flat
Angela Rayner is hitting out at claims she hasn’t paid enough stamp duty on her seaside flat as the former deputy prime minister continues to fuel rumors of a leadership bid.
The Ashton-under-Lyme MP, widely seen as a potential successor to Sir Keir Starmer, resigned from the government last September over underpayment of stamp duty on the purchase of an £800,000 waterfront flat in Hove.
Independent legal advice at the time found he was wrong to pay a lower rate of £30,000 rather than £70,000 after declaring the property as his primary residence rather than his second home.
But it is now understood he has sought further expert advice, with some suggesting he was right to pay the standard rate of stamp duty.
It is understood this was submitted to HMRC to raise complex legal questions surrounding the case.
A spokesman for Ms Rayner said: “Angela’s team is engaged in collaborative discussions with HMRC and, given the nature of the process, we cannot discuss the matter further publicly at this stage.”
Ms Rayner’s allies are said to be hopeful that HMRC’s investigation into her tax affairs will conclude before local elections in May, removing what is seen as the main obstacle to her return to frontline politics.
It is understood that Ms Rayner will ensure that the amount she is found to owe as a result of the investigation is paid in full upon completion.
The former deputy prime minister has sparked speculation in recent weeks that he may be preparing for a leadership bid in the coming months; May’s election is expected to be a disaster for Sir Keir.
Earlier this month she gave a speech to the leftwing Mainstream group where she described the anti-immigration policies being pushed by home secretary Shabana Mahmood as “un-British”.
He is also preparing to launch a new podcast called. Beyond the Bubble, In a bid to strengthen his position as a potential Labor leadership contest.
But despite the criticism, Sir Keir confirmed he hoped to bring the former deputy prime minister back into government after he was forced to resign last year over tax matters.
He told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that his former deputy would still play a “leading role” in his government, but insisted he was “not going anywhere” and would not step down from the leadership.
