Angela Rayner finally admits she DIDN’T pay enough stamp duty on her lavish £800k seaside flat, admits she discussed resigning and refers herself to ethics watchdog

Angela Rayner today admitted she didn’t pay enough stamp duty on her new seaside flat and revealed she has now referred herself to an ethics watchdog.

The Deputy Prime Minister said she ‘deeply regrets’ the error made when purchasing her £800,000 apartment in Hove, East Sussex.

Ms Rayner has referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, who is Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests, for him to look into whether she broke ministerial rules.

In a tearful TV interview this morning, the Deputy PM – who is also the Housing Secretary – said she had told HMRC she owes more tax on the property purchase and that she is willing to stump up more cash.

A ‘devastated’ Ms Rayner also revealed she had discussed resigning from her Government role with her family, amid days of intense scrutiny over her property arrangements.

The 45-year-old has been dubbed ‘Three Pads’ Rayner following her purchase of the Hove flat.

The Deputy PM is said to have saved £40,000 in stamp duty on the apartment because she removed her name from the deeds of a family property in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester.

The deed changes supposedly allowed Ms Rayner to pay £30,000 in stamp duty instead of £70,000, which would have been applied if the Hove property was her second home.

But the Hove flat is not her ‘main residence’ for council tax purposes, with the Ashton-under-Lyne home remaining her primary residence.

This is said to save some £2,000 in council tax on her third home, a three-bedroom grace-and-favour flat in Admiralty House.

Ms Rayner said in a statement: ‘When purchasing the property my understanding, on advice from lawyers, was that my circumstances meant I was liable for the standard rate of stamp duty.

‘However, given the recent allegations in the press I have subsequently sought further advice from a leading tax counsel to review that position and to ensure I am fully compliant with all tax provisions.

‘I have now been advised that although I did not own any other property at the time of the purchase, the application of complex deeming provisions which relate to my son’s trust gives rise to additional stamp duty liabilities.

‘I acknowledge that due to my reliance on advice from lawyers which did not properly take account of these provisions, I did not pay the appropriate stamp duty at the time of the purchase.

‘I am working with expert lawyers and with HMRC to resolve the matter and pay what is due.’

She added: ‘The arrangements I have set out reflect the reality that family life is rarely straightforward, particularly when dealing with disability, divorce, and the complexities of ensuring your children’s long term security.

‘Every decision I have made has been guided by what I believe to be in my children’s best interests.

‘I deeply regret the error that has been made. I am committed to resolving this matter fully and providing the transparency that public service demands.

‘It is for that reason I have today referred myself to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, and will provide him with my fullest cooperation and access to all the information he requires.’

More to follow…