Labour's Angela Rayner says she has been cleared over UK tax affairs

"I have been exonerated by HMRC of the accusation that I deliberately sought to avoid tax, Rayner said in a statement on X on Thursday. I have always sought to act with integrity, and I believe politicians should be held to high standards that is why I resigned from the government and cooperated fully with HMRC."

"Rayner told The Guardian she was ready to play my part in any leadership election if Streeting were to trigger a contest. Pressure for Starmer to step aside or face a leadership challenge has intensified since the Labour Party suffered heavy losses in local and regional elections last week, highlighting voters' frustrations with the current Labour government."

"Starmer has pledged to remain in office, warning lawmakers that any leadership contest would plunge the government into chaos. Under Labour Party rules, any potential challenger to the prime minister would have to have the backing of 81 of the party's 403 me"

Angela Rayner stated that HMRC cleared her of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness regarding her tax affairs. She said she sought to act with integrity, resigned from government, and cooperated fully with HMRC. Her clearance could allow her to compete in a potential Labour leadership contest. Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure after heavy losses in local and regional elections, with junior ministers resigning and more than 80 MPs urging him to quit. Starmer pledged to stay in office and warned that a leadership contest would cause chaos. UK media reported that Health Minister Wes Streeting was preparing to resign to pursue the top job, and Rayner said she would participate if a contest were triggered.

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