#angela-rayner-resignation

#angela-rayner-resignation

Jennifer McKiernanPolitical reporter, BBC News EPA Shabana Mahmood has been promoted to home secretary by Sir Keir Starmer in a major ministerial reshuffle following the resignation of Angela Rayner. Mahmood replaces Yvette Cooper, who is being moved from the Home Office to become foreign secretary, and David Lammy moves from foreign secretary to become justice secretary and deputy prime minister. Mahmood's appointment is a signal that the government sees dealing with illegal immigration and asylum as one of its biggest priorities.

It is highly unfortunate, however, that Ms Rayner failed to pay the correct rate of SDLT [stamp duty] on this purchase, particularly given her status and responsibilities as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and as Deputy Prime Minister. She believed that she relied on the legal advice she had received, but unfortunately did not heed the caution contained within it, which acknowledged that it did not constitute expert tax advice and which suggested that expert advice be sought.