Labours Angela Rayner Cleared of Tax Affairs Allegations

Former UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced that she has been cleared by HMRC of any wrongdoing or carelessness related to her tax affairs, according to a statement released on Thursday. The clearance is seen as paving the way for potential Labour leadership challenge.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is facing pressure to step down after recent local and regional polls showed heavy losses for the party. Four junior ministers have resigned, and over 80 MPs have urged him to quit. However, Starmer has pledged to remain in office despite these challenges.

Rayner stated that she had cooperated fully with HMRC and sought to act with integrity throughout her time as a politician. She also expressed readiness to participate in any leadership election if a contest were triggered by Health Minister Wes Streeting’s potential resignation.

Labour Party rules require any challenger to the prime minister to have the backing of 81 out of 403 members in the House of Commons. More than that number have publicly called on Starmer to step down in recent days.

Streeting, who is from the centrist wing of the Labour Party, has been seen as a potential candidate for the leadership. Rayner is popular among the party’s left-wing faction, but other candidates may also enter the race. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been mentioned as a possible contender, although he would need to find a way back into Parliament before running.

The situation remains fluid, with no formal leadership challenge having been launched yet. However, the prospect of a contest involving Rayner and Streeting is growing.

Source: Al Jazeera