Police Taking No Further Action On Angela Rayner Council House Allegations
Angela Rayner has faced repeated questions from the Conservatives over her personal housing affairs (Alamy)
2 min read
Greater Manchester Police have dropped their investigation into claims that Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner owed tax on a council house she previously sold.
There had been questions over Rayner's housing arrangements before she was elected MP for Ashton-under-Lyne. The police have now confirmed their investigation into whether “any offences have been committed”, which was launched earlier this month, has been dropped.
Stockport Council has also said in a statement that it will take "no further action" after having “reviewed and responded to all correspondence related to this matter”.
The allegations included that she might have owed tax on a house she sold in 2015, as well as questions over whether she registered to vote at the correct address.
Rayner responded that she "welcomed" the conclusion of the police investigation.
“We have seen the Conservative Party use this playbook before – reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their dire record," she said in a statement.
"The public have had enough of these desperate tactics from a Tory government with nothing else to say after 14 years of failure.
“I am grateful to all those who have stood by and supported me and my family. My focus now is squarely on securing the change Britain needs, with the election of a Labour government.”
Labour's Deputy Leader had promised to step down from her position if she was found to have committed a criminal offence, and insisted she had followed the rules at all times.
In a statement, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Following allegations about Angela Rayner MP, Greater Manchester Police has completed a thorough, carefully considered and proportionate investigation. We have concluded that no further police action will be taken.
“The investigation originated from complaints made by Mr James Daly MP directly to GMP. Subsequent further contact with GMP by members of the public, and claims made by individuals featured in media reporting, indicated a strong public interest in the need for allegations to be investigated.
“Matters involving council tax and personal tax do not fall into the jurisdiction of policing. GMP has liaised with Stockport Council and information about our investigation has been shared with them. Details of our investigation have also been shared with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).”
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