The Angela Rayner council house row deepens

The row over Angela Rayner’s tax affairs is becoming more serious. This morning, Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation into the Labour deputy leader over whether she broke electoral law by failing to properly disclose her main residence in official documents. The investigation relates to two properties in Stockport – one owned by Rayner (on Vicarage Road) and one by her then-husband Mark Rayner (on Lowndes Lane).

Rayner is accused of potentially avoiding paying capital gains tax on her property – which she sold in 2015 – as well as potentially breaking electoral law. Rayner denies both allegations.

A police spokesperson said: ‘We’re investigating whether any offences have been committed. This follows a reassessment of the information provided to us by Mr Daly.’ James Daly, deputy chairman of the Conservative party, had contacted Greater Manchester Police to report that Rayner’s neighbours believed her main residence was her husband’s property. The Labour line in response to the police statement is that the party ‘welcomes’ the investigation as an opportunity for them to put the matter to bed.