Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary, and deputy Labour leader after admitting she failed to pay the correct amount of tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove.
Her departure comes after the prime minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, concluded she had breached the ministerial code, despite acting “with integrity.” He said Rayner did seek legal advice during the purchase but failed to obtain specialist tax guidance, as recommended.
In her resignation letter, Rayner said she accepted she “did not meet the highest standards,” adding: “I deeply regret my decision not to seek additional specialist advice given my role as housing secretary and my complex family arrangements. I take full responsibility for this error. It was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.”
The controversy stems from her purchase of the flat in 2020. While Rayner believed it was her sole residence, arrangements involving a trust for her disabled son meant the property should have been treated as a second home, requiring an extra £40,000 in stamp duty. She has since contacted HMRC to pay the tax and may face a fine of £12,000 for what has been classified as a “careless” error.
Her resignation triggers a deputy leadership election within the Labour Party, expected to create a political headache for Sir Keir Starmer. A wider cabinet reshuffle has already begun, with Lucy Powell and Ian Murray leaving their posts.
In a handwritten reply, Sir Keir praised Rayner’s service: “You have given your all to making the Labour government a success. You have been a trusted colleague and a true friend. Although this decision is painful, I know you will remain a major figure in our party.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, however, said Rayner’s exit exposed “Keir Starmer’s weakness,” claiming she should have been sacked days earlier.
Rayner, who has represented Ashton-under-Lyne since 2015, was a central figure in Labour’s election victory last year and held responsibility for delivering one of the party’s flagship pledges: building 1.5 million homes. Her departure leaves a significant gap at the top of government.
About the author
Ibrahim Traoré accueille le président de l’UA Évariste Ndayishimiye à Ouagadougou
Le Président du Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, a accueilli ce lundi 20 avril 2026 au matin, à l’aéroport international de Ouagadougou, le Président en exercice de l’Union africaine, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Cette visite officielle s’inscrit dans le cadre des relations diplomatiques entre les États africains et les institutions continentales. Des échanges avec la Confédération AES Au cours de son séjour, le chef de l’État burundais, également président en exercice de l’UA, aura des échanges avec Ibrahim Traoré en sa qualité de Président de la Confédération des États du Sahel (AES). Ces discussions devraient porter sur des enjeux politiques, sécuritaires et de coopération régionale. Visites d’infrastructures à Ouagadougou Le programme de la visite prévoit également des déplacements sur plusieurs infrastructures socio-économiques dans la capitale, Ouagadougou. Ces visites visent à mettre en lumière les initiatives de développement en cours dans le pays. Une visite […]
LOOMIC : ABSTERGO lance une nouvelle marque d’accessoires tech au Burkina Faso
Dans un contexte où les accessoires numériques occupent une place centrale dans la vie quotidienne, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY franchit une nouvelle étape. Le 18 avril 2026, l’entreprise a officiellement lancé LOOMIC, une marque dédiée aux essentiels technologiques, avec une ambition claire : allier performance, design et accessibilité. Une vision : rendre la technologie utile et accessible Avec LOOMIC, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY veut combler le fossé entre le haut de gamme et l’accessibilité. Selon son fondateur, Marthial Oubda, les accessoires du quotidien ont longtemps été sous-estimés. « La technologie doit faire plus que fonctionner. Elle doit simplifier et améliorer l’expérience », a-t-il expliqué. LOOMIC se positionne ainsi comme une marque centrée sur l’essentiel, avec une approche axée sur l’innovation utile et un design minimaliste. Voltis : un écosystème de charge performant La marque inaugure sa gamme Voltis, dédiée à l’énergie et à la […]
Audit Exposes GHS427m Payroll Scandal at Defence Ministry
A shocking audit report has uncovered a massive payroll scandal involving a senior government official who allegedly received over GHS427 million in unearned salaries over 29 months. The individual at the center of the controversy, Frank Oliver Kpodo, served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence Ghana during the period under review. Millions Paid for No Work Done According to findings by the Auditor-General of Ghana, the payments were made between January 2023 and June 2025. On average, this amounts to more than GHS14 million per month—funds reportedly paid without corresponding work. The audit, which examined government payroll systems, aimed to ensure that only legitimate employees receive salaries. Instead, it exposed what appears to be a deeply flawed system. Part of a Larger Payroll Leak The report found that over 6,000 government employees collectively received more than GHS800 […]
Old Tafo MP Questions NPRA Sole Sourcing, Raises Transparency Concerns
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised fresh concerns about procurement practices at the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). He warned that the growing use of sole sourcing could undermine transparency and value for money. Questions Over High-Value Contracts Speaking on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Assafuah pointed to several major contracts awarded through sole sourcing. These include: A consultancy deal worth GH¢4.2 million A vehicle procurement arrangement exceeding GH¢17 million and $160,000 According to him, the repeated reliance on sole sourcing for such high-value transactions raises serious concerns about due process. “Sole sourcing is meant for urgency and necessity, not convenience and favouritism,” he stated. Concerns Over Costly Consultancy Engagements The MP also questioned the need for certain consultancy services. He noted that a reported monthly cost of about GH¢175,000 could suggest duplication […]
Kaya : 190 jeunes et femmes reçoivent des kits pour lancer leurs activités
À Kaya, 190 personnes, majoritairement des jeunes et des femmes, disposent désormais des moyens nécessaires pour lancer leurs propres activités génératrices de revenus. Le 25 mars 2026, SOS Villages d’Enfants a procédé à la remise officielle de kits d’installation complets, marquant une nouvelle étape dans son programme d’autonomisation. Un investissement de près de 40 millions FCFA L’opération représente un investissement global de 39 751 400 FCFA. Ce montant se répartit comme suit : 27 361 650 FCFA pour l’acquisition du matériel 12 389 750 FCFA consacrés à la formation technique des bénéficiaires L’objectif est clair : permettre un démarrage immédiat des activités avec des compétences solides. Des équipements pour plusieurs métiers Les kits distribués couvrent différents secteurs d’activité : Production d’attiéké : 32 femmes Coupe et couture : 42 bénéficiaires Transformation de produits ligneux : 56 personnes Teinture de pagnes […]
JEPPC 2026 : Émile Zerbo appelle à consommer local pour renforcer la souveraineté
Le Burkina Faso a officiellement lancé, ce 26 mars 2026, la première phase des Journées nationales d’engagement patriotique et de participation citoyenne (JEPPC). La cérémonie, organisée au ministère de la Justice, a été présidée par Émile Zerbo, ministre d’État chargé de l’Administration territoriale. Un thème centré sur la souveraineté alimentaire Pour cette troisième édition, le thème choisi est clair :« Produisons burkinabè, consommons burkinabè, notre assiette, notre fierté » À travers ce message, les autorités entendent promouvoir un changement profond des habitudes de consommation et renforcer le patriotisme économique. Un discours fort contre la dépendance aux importations Relayant le message du chef de l’État, Émile Zerbo a dénoncé une forme d’impérialisme ancrée dans le quotidien. Selon lui, la dépendance aux produits importés affaiblit l’économie nationale et marginalise les producteurs locaux. Il a notamment pointé du doigt la présence massive de […]
Related
Missing Oscar found after airport security incident
An Academy Award that went missing after being checked at an airport in New York has been located, according to Lufthansa. Filmmaker Pavel Talankin said he was carrying the Oscar in his hand luggage while travelling from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Germany when security officers stopped him. Authorities reportedly insisted the statuette could pose a security risk and required it to be placed in checked baggage. However, upon arrival in Germany, the award—won for the documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin—was missing. Lufthansa later confirmed that the statuette had been found in Frankfurt and is now secure. The airline said it is working directly with Talankin to return the item as quickly as possible, while also launching an internal review into how the situation occurred. It added that it had apologised for the inconvenience. The incident caused concern among […]
Mladić seeks release over failing health
Lawyers for Ratko Mladić are awaiting a ruling from a United Nations court on a request to release him on medical grounds. The 84-year-old former Bosnian Serb commander is currently serving a life sentence in The Hague. Mladić was convicted in 2017 of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, a verdict upheld on appeal in 2021. Once dubbed the “Butcher of Bosnia,” he remains one of the most prominent figures linked to atrocities during the Balkan wars. His legal team argues that his health has significantly deteriorated. According to their submission, he has been largely bedridden or reliant on a wheelchair and is believed to have suffered a stroke that has severely affected his ability to speak. Medical assessments cited by the defence describe his condition as critical, with a high risk of imminent death. They are requesting provisional […]
Iran activates air defences as Trump faces US war deadline
Iran has put its air defence systems on high alert as President Donald Trump approaches a key legal deadline to secure congressional approval for his ongoing military campaign against the country. The move comes amid continued US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets and Tehran’s warnings of stronger retaliation if attacks escalate. Under the US War Powers Resolution, Trump must obtain authorisation from Congress by May 1 to continue large scale military operations beyond 60 days. Legal experts note that without such approval, he is supposed to begin winding down deployments, although previous presidents have often contested or ignored this requirement. Iranian officials have dismissed Trump’s threats to inflict heavy damage on the country’s civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to full shipping traffic. Tehran says it will not bow to ultimatums and has vowed […]
Justice Dept releases footage of Trump shooting suspect
The United States Department of Justice has released surveillance footage of the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at a high profile event in Washington. The nearly six minute video features several clips of the suspect, 31 year old Cole Tomas Allen, walking through corridors and a fitness centre inside the Washington Hilton hotel. A dramatic part of the footage shows Allen carrying what appears to be a long barrelled gun as he charges through a security checkpoint. He is seen sprinting past uniformed police officers and Secret Service agents in suits before shots are fired. Prosecutors say Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives when he tried to storm the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Trump was attending. Federal officials described the incident as a clear assassination attempt on the […]
Iran defies Trump’s blockade as oil prices soar
Iran has vowed to resist a prolonged United States naval blockade and keep its economy functioning, even as global oil prices surge to multi year highs. The warning comes after President Donald Trump signalled that the US led operation to restrict shipping to and from Iranian ports could last for months. Iranian officials say the blockade will fail and have accused Washington of waging economic warfare and collective punishment against the country. Tehran says it is finding alternative routes and partners to sell its crude, including ship to ship transfers and deals that avoid dollar payments. Oil markets have reacted nervously to the standoff. Brent crude has climbed well above 110 dollars a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate has traded above 100 dollars, levels last seen several years ago. Analysts say prices have been driven higher by the […]
US reiterates recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara
The United States has again reaffirmed its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and its support for Rabat’s autonomy plan for the disputed territory. Washington says genuine autonomy under Moroccan authority remains the only realistic basis for a lasting political solution. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio restated the position during talks in Washington with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. According to official readouts, Rubio said the US stance, first announced under President Donald Trump in 2020, has not changed. Trump had recognised Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara as part of a deal in which Rabat agreed to normalise relations with Israel. In a message to King Mohammed VI during his second term, he reiterated US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty and described the autonomy proposal as serious, credible and realistic. American officials have repeatedly stressed that they do not […]