Britain’s Deputy PM Angela Rayner Resigns After Ministerial Code Breach

London, Sept 2025 : Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after an investigation concluded that she had breached the ministerial code by underpaying property tax, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s embattled Labour government.

Rayner, a prominent figure among the party’s left-wing supporters, had admitted earlier this week that she had not paid the full stamp duty on a flat purchase and voluntarily referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser.

In a letter to Starmer, ethics chief Laurie Magnus stated that Rayner had failed to “heed the caution” of legal advice she had received, thereby violating the ministerial code. Acknowledging the findings, Rayner wrote in her resignation letter, “Given the findings, and the impact on my family, I have therefore decided to resign.” She confirmed she would also step down as housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party.

Rayner expressed regret over her actions, saying, “I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice” and took “full responsibility for this error.” In response, Starmer said he was “very sad” to lose her from government but reassured her that she would “remain a major figure in our party.”

The controversy centers on Rayner’s underpayment of stamp duty on a flat in southern England, which reportedly saved her around £40,000 ($53,000). This followed her decision to remove her name from the deeds of another property. Rayner explained that, after her divorce in 2023, she sold her share of the family home to a trust to safeguard her child’s future and used the proceeds to purchase the flat. She initially claimed the flat as her main residence rather than a second home, reducing the tax liability, but later acknowledged this was incorrect because her son is under 18.

Magnus noted that Rayner “acted with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service” but ultimately concluded that the ministerial code had been breached.

Rayner, 45, has long been considered a potential future Labour leader and has frequently been targeted by Conservative politicians and right-wing media. Her personal story has contributed to her popularity among working-class voters: she left school with no qualifications after becoming pregnant at 16 and grew up in Stockport, on the outskirts of Manchester, in one of the region’s most deprived social housing estates. She is a mother of three, including a son who was born prematurely and is registered blind with lifelong special needs.

Known for her direct and relatable communication style, Rayner’s rise from humble beginnings to deputy prime minister symbolized a significant personal and political journey. Her resignation comes at a sensitive time for Starmer’s government, which faces pressure on multiple fronts, including public trust and party unity.

While her departure represents a setback for the Labour leadership, Starmer emphasized her ongoing importance, signaling that Rayner will continue to play a significant role in shaping the party’s future.