ANGELA Rayner is being investigated by cops over claims she may have broken electoral law.
Greater Manchester Police had originally said the Labour Deputy leader would not face an investigation over claims she gave false information about where she was living for the electoral roll.
Deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner
PALabour Leader Sir Keir Starmer says he takes Angela Rayner’s word for it[/caption]
But after a complaint by deputy Tory party chairman James Daly they decided to “review the circumstances” and have today announced they have reopened the probe.
A GMP Spokesperson said: “We’re investigating whether any offences have been committed.
“This follows a reassessment of the information provided to us by Mr Daly.”
Ms Rayner is under scrutiny over claims she may have wrongly avoided capital gains tax on the 2015 sale of her home.
Greater Manchester police’s investigation is separate and will look into whether she registered the wrong property on the electoral roll.
This is because the question of whether she had broken tax rules would be a matter for the tax office, rather than the police.
Ms Rayner denies any wrongdoing and has the backing of Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer.
The original accusation was made in an unauthorised biography written by the Tory peer Lord Ashcroft.
Ms Rayner registered the Stockport house, which 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 – making a profit of £48,000 – she was not liable to pay capital gains tax on that money.
But weeks after marrying Mark Rayner in 2010, she had re-registered the births of her two youngest children at his address just over a mile away.
This raised questions over whether she moved in with her husband but did not update her address on the electoral register.
According to HMRC rules, married couples or civil partners can only count one property as their primary residence.
Ms Rayner said she had spoken to tax and legal experts to make sure she did not owe tax but won’t publish the advice she received.
Sir Keir said he takes her word for it and that he does not need to see the tax advice, either.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told LBC both Sir Keir and Ms Rayner should give a “straight” answer about her tax affair.
He added: “Keir Starmer still hasn’t answered any questions properly about what’s going on with Angela, Rayner.
“When it comes to me or my affairs, people are very happy to ask lots of questions, including Angela Rayner herself.”
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