Keir Starmer left the door open for Angela Rayner to return to government last night after she was forced to quit for dodging up to £40,000 in stamp duty on her second home.
Following days of bluster and misinformation, the Deputy Prime Minister finally resigned when a report by the Government’s sleaze watchdog found she had broken the Ministerial Code by failing to ensure she paid the right tax on an £800,000 seaside apartment.
She also resigned as Housing and Communities Secretary and quit her elected role as Labour’s deputy leader.
In a handwritten letter, Sir Keir hailed her as the ‘living embodiment of social mobility’ and told her he was ‘very sad to be losing you’.
He added: ‘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 achievements in government.’
