ANGELA Rayner must publish all documents justifying her claims she was cleared of deliberate wrongdoing after settling a £40,000 unpaid stamp duty bill, the Tories are demanding.
The ex-Deputy Prime Minister is under pressure to release paperwork relating to the underpayment of her stamp duty following the purchase of a south coast flat.
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The Tories are demanding Angela Rayner publish HMRC papers amid her £40,000 stamp duty row Credit: PA
Former Deputy Rayner is under pressure to release paperwork relating to the underpayment of her stamp duty following the purchase of a south coast flat Credit: PA
She adamantly claimed she had been cleared by HMRC after revealing she had been cleared of deliberate wrongdoing and rceived no penalty.
But Shadow Cabinet Minister Alex Burghart said: “Angela Rayner’s carefully worded statement cannot disguise the fact that she has still had to settle up an upaid tax bill of £40,000.
“Only Angela Rayner seems to be able to say that this now settled with HMRC. She still has serious questions to answer.
“If she wants the top job, she should publish all correspondence with HMRC in full.”
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Reform MP Robert Jenrick said: “If Rayner is so certain she’s been cleared, she’d have no problem publishing the evidence. This just shows none of Keir’s successors will be able to do a better job.”
It comes after a statement from Ms Rayner who said: “I welcome HMRC’s conclusion, which has cleared me of any wrongdoing. I set out to pay the correct amount of tax.
“I took reasonable care and acted in good faith, based on the expert advice I received, and HMRC has accepted this.”
But Dan Neidle, the founder of Tax Policy Associates, said: “The facts, as reported by the prime minister’s ethics adviser, were that she obtained advice from two sets of lawyers (on the purchase).
‘If Rayner is so certain she’s been cleared, she’d have no problem publishing the evidence’, says Jenrick Credit: PA
Angela has adamantly claimed she had been cleared by HMRC Credit: PA
“Both of them suggested she sought tax advice and she didn’t take tax advice at the time. That’s why the mistake was made.
“I said at the time, I thought that was careless. Her statement says HMRC have concluded (it) isn’t careless and are not charging a penalty. And I can’t explain why that is.”
Her political career has been overshadowed by the taxman probe triggered after it was revealed she had underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 Hove, East Sussex, flat.
The property had been paid for after her son’t trust bought out her share of the family home.
HMRC last night said they can’t comment on individuals due to taxpayer confidentiality law.
