UK Deputy PM Angela Rayner Resigns Over £40,000 Stamp Duty Scandal

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has admitted to underpaying £40,000 in stamp duty on her Hove property, attributing the error to incorrect legal advice regarding the tax treatment of trusts set up for her disabled son. Despite the complexity of the trust-related tax rules and her claim of acting on professional guidance, the scandal has attracted significant political fallout, with calls for her resignation based on her previous strong stance against tax avoidance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially defended Rayner, emphasizing her honesty and the differences from prior government scandals, but the pressure intensified as questions arose about what he knew and when. Rayner has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards and HMRC and pledged to pay any additional tax owed, though critics highlight the damage to her credibility, especially given her role as housing secretary. Supporters describe her tax issue as an honest mistake linked to complex family arrangements, while opponents accuse her of hypocrisy and mishandling her own housing affairs. The situation remains politically precarious, with Rayner's future in government uncertain amid ongoing investigations and public scrutiny.