Speaking to Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast,Rayner said: ‘I’ve been in shock,really,because I thought I’d done everything properly,and I relied on the advice that I received and I’m devastated because I’ve always upheld the rules and always have felt proud to do that.
‘That it is devastating for me and the fact that the reason why those confidential clauses were in place was to protect my son,who,through no fault of his own,he’s vulnerable,he’s got this life-changing,lifelong conditions and I don’t want him or anything to do with his day-to-day life,to be subjected to that level of scrutiny.’
Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake in a letter to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) called for the tax authority to open a tax evasion investigation.
‘This contention of innocent reliance on defective advice cannot withstand scrutiny,’ Mr Hollinrake said in his letter to HMRC.
‘I am requesting that HMRC undertake a full investigation into this matter and consider the application of a penalty for tax evasion.
‘I note that HMRC guidance on this issue recommends a penalty based on Potential Lost Revenue,of 30% of the revenue for an ‘careless’ inaccuracy (which would be £12,000),to 100% (£40,000) for a deliberate inaccuracy.
‘You may wish to obtain a copy of the ‘advice’ that she claims to have had,inspect her multiple title deeds on the Land Registry,and obtain a copy of the declaration of trust from 2023. Was this ‘advice’ actually from a tax lawyer or chartered tax adviser?’
Full statement from Angela Rayner
‘When purchasing the property my understanding,on advice from lawyers,was that my circumstances meant I was liable for the standard rate of stamp duty.‘However,given the recent allegations in the press I have subsequently sought further advice from a leading tax counsel to review that position and to ensure I am fully compliant with all tax provisions.‘I have now been advised that although I did not own any other property at the time of the purchase,the application of complex deeming provisions which relate to my son’s trust gives rise to additional stamp duty liabilities.‘I acknowledge that due to my reliance on advice from lawyers which did not properly take account of these provisions,I did not pay the appropriate stamp duty at the time of the purchase. I am working with expert lawyers and with HMRC to resolve the matter and pay what is due.‘The arrangements I have set out reflect the reality that family life is rarely straightforward,particularly when dealing with disability,divorce and the complexities of ensuring your children’s long-term security. Every decision I have made has been guided by what I believe to be in my children’s best interests.‘I deeply regret the error that has been made. I am committed to resolving this matter fully and providing the transparency that public service demands. It is for that reason I have today referred myself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards,and will provide him with my fullest cooperation and access to all the information he requires.’During the Prime Minister’s Question in Parliament today,Badenoch did not mince her words and urged for Rayner to be sacked.She told MPs: ‘I remember when the Prime Minister said tax evasion is a criminal offence,and should be treated as all other fraud. If he had a backbone,he would sack her.’Sir Keir then defended his deputy,saying she has ‘gone above and beyond to explain her circumstances’ and she even ‘asked a court to lift a confidentiality order in relation to her son’ to be transparent.Sir Keir said he is ‘proud to sit alongside the deputy Prime Minister.’Badenoch said that the tables would be turned for a Conservative deputy Prime Minister.Lucy Webster,a disability campaigner,said on X: ‘Don’t come for me but I do have some sympathy for Angela Rayner. The trusts like the one she’s set up for her disabled son are notoriously complex. I get it I would potentially have more sympathy if she hadn’t been pushing disability benefits cuts.’When
Metro contacted the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards,it was told to refer back to Prime Minister’s comments in the PMQs.Stamp duty,known as the stamp duty land tax,has to be paid on property or land over a certain price point in England and Northern Ireland.There are stamp duty exemptions and relief,and the rate varies whether the buyer is a first-time homeowner or already has property.The tax kicks in for residential properties that cost £125,000,those costing £300,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £500,000 or less,and £150,000 for non-residential land and properties.Got a story?
