Police Begins Probe Into Britian's Labour Deputy Leader, Rayner

Police on Friday, commenced investigating into the allegations that Angela Rayner may have broken electoral law over information she gave about her living situation a decade ago in Manchester, England. 

It comes after Tory MP James Daly informed Greater Manchester Police (GMP) of claims made by neighbours that contradicted the Labour deputy leader's statement that her property, separate from her husband's, was her main residence.

But the force has now "reassessed" information about the case and launched a probe following a complaint from Mr Daly, an MP in the region and the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party.

A spokesperson for GMP said: "We're investigating whether any offences have been committed. This follows a reassessment of the information provided to us by Mr Daly."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the investigation "will allow a line to be drawn about this matter" and added he was "fully confident that Angela Rayner has not broken the rules."

He also said: "She will cooperate with the investigation, as you would expect, and it is a matter for the police."

Ms Rayner has faced scrutiny over whether she paid the right amount of tax on the 2015 sale of her council house in Stockport, because of confusion over whether it was her principal residence.
The Labour frontbencher has rejected the allegation and denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Rayner bought a council house in Vicarage Road, Stockport, under right-to-buy rules for £79,000 in 2007 and sold it in March 2015, shortly before she became an MP, for £127,500.

AFP