UK Deputy PM Angela Rayner Resigns After Tax Scandal

London, Sep 5 (AP) The UK's Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has tendered her resignation following an independent investigation that concluded she failed to uphold the ethical benchmarks expected of government ministers amid a recent property acquisition.

On Wednesday, Rayner confessed to underpaying taxes related to the purchase of an apartment in Hove, located on England's southern coast.

Subsequently, Rayner voluntarily sought an assessment from the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Laurie Magnus, who submitted his findings to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday.

In the UK, property acquisitions are subject to levies, with elevated charges imposed on more costly homes and additional residences.

It has been reported that Rayner avoided paying the correct stamp duty, saving an estimated 40,000 pounds in the process.

As the minister responsible for housing within the Labour administration, Rayner has built a reputation as one of its most outspoken voices. She has frequently criticized tax underpayment, especially among members of the prior Conservative government, which Labour succeeded in July 2024.

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