Angela Rayner with Sir Keir Starmer at the launch of Labour's local election campaign in Dudley Photo: JORDAN PETTITT/PA
Sir Keir Starmer publicly supported Angela Rayner's decision not to publish tax advice on the sale of her council home, despite not having seen the advice himself.
Kicking off Labour's local election campaign in the West Midlands, the opposition leader told reporters he had «full confidence» in his deputy when asked whether police would reconsider their decision not to investigate allegations that Ms Rayner had given false information on official documents.
The issue revolves around the amount of tax Ms Rayner had to pay on the sale of her Stockport home in 2015 and whether she should be liable for capital gains tax.
The Telegraph understands that Ms Rayner passed on the tax advice to the party and that senior officials reviewed it line by line.
Sir Keir was briefed in detail on its contents but did not read the document. his allies say he doesn't feel the need to do so because he trusts his deputy.
In an interview on Monday morning, Ms Rayner insisted she had done «absolutely nothing wrong» but refused to give legal advice . in the public domain because it was “private.”
“Should she publish legal advice? No'
Expressing his strong support on Thursday, Sir Keir said: “Angela has been very clear. I think she was doing press this morning. She made it very clear that if anyone needed more information from her, any of the authorities, she would be more than happy to provide it.
“But should it publish legal advice on taxation? No, she shouldn't. How will this end? Are you going to call on Conservative ministers to publish all their legal and tax advice from the last 15 years? That's where it ends.»
Ask whether his deputy should resign if he was found to have done wrong, Sir Keir said: «Angela said I don't know how many questions about about this. She did not break any rules, she actually took legal and tax advice that was satisfactory to her, us and me regarding this position.»
Angela Rayner bought a house in Stockport in 2007 and sold it in 2015. Photo: Ryan Jenkinson/Story Picture Agency
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is again investigating the case after Conservatives complained the allegations were not properly investigated.
James Daley, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, wrote to police accusing them of failing to investigate. a full investigation into whether the MP broke the law ten years ago.
Police said this week that a detective chief inspector had been tasked with reviewing the case.
In an interview with BBC Radio's Today program 4 on Thursday morning Ms Rayner said: “I am confident I have done absolutely nothing wrong. I was very clear about the advice I received.”
When asked why she did not disclose this legal advice, she replied: “Because it is my personal tax advice. But I'm happy to submit to the necessary authorities who want to see it.
“But I don't think we're going the way of MPs where someone says, 'Well, what happens to your capital gains tax' , we want to see all the information and details.
“If yes, then I'm happy. If we all want a level playing field… you show me yours and I'll show you mine.»
Ms. Rayner campaigns on the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday. Photo: James Manning
Earlier this month, GMP said Ms Rayner would not be investigated before Mr Daly complained officers had failed to contact witnesses or review relevant documents.
«Respect the process»
Lisa Nandy , a Labor Party spokeswoman, said the party would “respect the process.”
“Police initially closed the investigation. I understand they reopened it because a Conservative MP asked them to,” she told Times Radio.
“This is, of course, their right. We respect this process. And you know, as always when allegations like this are made, we follow procedures.»
Ms Rayner registered the Stockport house she bought under the Right to Buy scheme in 2007 as her main address on the electoral roll.
As a result, when she sold the property in 2015 for a profit of £48,000, she was not liable to pay capital gains tax on the money.
p>But weeks after she married Mark Rayner in 2010, she re-registered the birth of her two youngest children at his address, just over a mile away.
This raised questions about whether whether she moved in with her now separate husband but did not update her address on the electoral roll.
Consider only one property.
HMRC rules state that married couples or civil partners can only count one property as their main residence.
Last week, Ms Rayner said, that the scandal was «fabricated» in an attempt to «smear» her. She told BBC Newsnight there was «no wrongdoing» and «no illegal activity», adding: «I have been made absolutely clear that no rules have been broken.»
A GMP spokesman said: «We have received a complaint » regarding our decision not to investigate the allegation and are in the process of reviewing this decision. The applicant will be informed of the results of the re-assessment in due course.”
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