Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has admitted she did not pay the correct tax when buying a property in Hove, and has now referred herself to the Prime Minister’s independent ethics adviser.
The admission follows weeks of questions over her financial affairs. Rayner says she relied on legal advice at the time of her purchase but has since been told that advice was wrong, leaving her liable for more stamp duty.
Speaking to Sky News’ Beth Rigby, she said a divorce settlement and a trust set up to support her disabled son had created an unusual legal position:
“In 2020, my son, had an award and a trust was set up by the court to deal with his finances as part of that award, with a legal trustee. And in 2023, when me and my husband divorced, the decision was because that home was adapted to support my son, who was lifelong disabilities as a result of that injury that occurred to him, that trust was set up and they decided that they would take on the property so that me and my husband could have a nest in arrangement where we could provide for my child in our family home, which is our family home and remains our family home.”
Rayner said she used her share of the equity to buy a new property with a mortgage, paying standard stamp duty on the advice of lawyers.
“Subsequently to that with all of the media reports that have been coming out, I took expert counsel advice on all of my affairs… that expert counsel said that the advice that I received was inaccurate because of the trust… As soon as I knew that that was the case, I have alerted and referred myself to the independent adviser on the ministerial code… and also contacted HMRC to say that there is additional tax owing on this, and that I’m prepared to pay that and fully comply with the HMRC as well.”
The Deputy Prime Minister revealed she had even considered resigning:
“I spoke to my family about it. I spoke to my ex-husband, who has been an incredibly supportive person because he knows that all I’ve done is try and support my family and help them.”
Rayner appealed to the public for understanding:
“I made a mistake based upon the advice that I relied upon that I received at the time, and a leading expert has now said that advice was wrong… People make mistakes, but I conducted myself in trying to do the right thing, and I hope that people can see that.”
Questions of Fairness
While Rayner has pledged to pay any tax owed, the case has fuelled concerns that senior politicians may be treated differently from ordinary taxpayers.
Critics point out that most people would face strict penalties from HMRC if they underpaid tax, regardless of whether they relied on professional advice. Others note this is not the first time Rayner has had to correct her public statements — recalling her denial of attending a lockdown gathering in Durham until video evidence later emerged.
