Labour’s Angela Rayner refuses to publish tax records as police probe house sale

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Angela Rayner, the second-in-command of the UK's Labour party, has declined to release the tax counsel she got regarding a property transaction that occurred over 10 years ago. She declared that she would only make it public if Conservative MPs disclosed comprehensive information about their financial situations.

On Thursday, she proclaimed, "If you exhibit yours, I shall exhibit mine."

The authorities are looking into allegations that Rayner might have violated electoral regulations over ten years back whilst residing amidst a pair of council-owned residences situated in Stockport.

The center of the accusations, initially presented in a book by previous Conservative vice president Lord Ashcroft — and shared in sections in the publication Mail on Sunday — relate to uncertainties regarding where she lived during the early 2010s.

According to reports, Rayner purchased her previous council house located on Vicarage Road in Stockport with a discounted rate of 25% in 2007. She then sold the house at the market value after eight years, and it resulted in a profit. As she was registered to vote at that house, she did not have to pay any capital gains tax on the profit.

There are reports that she might have resided mainly at a different residence located on Lowndes Lane, the same address as her ex-spouse, and that it was her sibling inhabiting the Vicarage Road property.

According to Dan Neidle, a tax specialist, Rayner could have potentially received a bill for capital gains tax worth £1,500. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that she could avoid such a bill if either she spent a sum of over £15,000 on enhancing the Vicarage Road property or if she had designated that property as the main residence joint with her spouse.

On Thursday, Rayner reiterated her statement that she had received legal and tax guidance that supported her position that she had not avoided paying capital gains taxes.

During an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the person claimed that they have not committed any wrongdoing and have received proper guidance on their taxes. They stated that they have no intention of fabricating their tax advice and find it absurd to do so. Additionally, they mentioned that they are not comfortable divulging their personal information, including their family's details from the past 15 years.

The lady declared that she is willing to provide that data to either HM Revenue & Customs or the police if it is required.

However, she was adamant that she would not reveal her own tax details unless other Members of Parliament did the same. She explained, "If we want to create a fair and equitable environment, we must all be transparent. You divulge yours, and I'll reveal mine."

If the second-in-command [Conservative] chair and others, as well as Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt, desire to proclaim "I will present my tax details from the preceding 15 years," then I am content to reveal my own information simultaneously.

In the past, Rayner voiced out that the disagreement was fabricated to besmirch her name before the anticipated triumph of the Labour Party in the upcoming general election this year.

A member of the Conservative party called James Daly made a complaint about the Greater Manchester police. He was not satisfied with their handling of the investigation into allegations that Rayner had provided incorrect information about her residence for the electoral roll. According to Daly, her actions may have been illegal.

The police stated on March 12 that there will be no inquiry against Rayner. However, due to Daly's objection, the police have declared that they will reexamine the allegations.

On Monday, Cheryl Hughes, a top detective at Greater Manchester police, sent a letter to an MP. In the letter, she acknowledged the MP's worry about the absence of an inquiry into the issues they previously informed GMP about on February 25th regarding Angela Rayner MP.

After I received your letter on March 13th, 2024, I was asked to reconsider our decision regarding an investigation based on the information you provided. I will let you know the result once I finish reviewing it.