UK deputy premier steps down after failing to pay enough tax
Angela Rayner's resignation comes following mounting pressure over purchase of a home in Hove.
Angela Rayner on Friday resigned as deputy prime minister and housing secretary over failing to pay enough tax on a flat she bought in May.
The deputy prime minister's resignation came following mounting pressure on her to step down regarding her purchase of a home in Hove, a British seaside resort in East Sussex.
Rayner also resigned as deputy leader of the Labour Party after admitting that she underpaid tax on the purchase.
She referred herself to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ethics adviser earlier this week, after admitting to underpaying stamp duty on the £800,000 ($1.07 million) home.
Earlier, Starmer had expressed his full support for Rayner, saying he was "proud" to work alongside her.
On Wednesday, Rayner told Sky News that she received incorrect legal advice, leading her to pay less stamp duty on the new property than she actually owes.
According to Laurie Magnus, the prime minister's standards adviser, Rayner breached the ministerial code.
In his report, Magnus praised her for "full and open cooperation in assisting me with my inquiries," but added that she breached the rules that govern the conduct of government ministers, Sky News reported.
"It is highly unfortunate, however, that Ms Rayner failed to pay the correct rate of SDLT [stamp duty] on this purchase, particularly given her status and responsibilities as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and as Deputy Prime Minister," it added.
Cooper appointed new foreign secretary, Lammy becomes deputy premier in major UK reshuffle
Keir Starmer's 1st Cabinet reshuffle comes more than a year after becoming prime minister following resignation of deputy prime minister.
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on Friday was appointed as the country's new foreign secretary, replacing David Lammy, who becomes the new deputy premier, as well as the justice secretary in a major Cabinet reshuffle.
Keir Starmer's first Cabinet reshuffle came more than a year after becoming the prime minister following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner early Friday.
Shabana Mahmood moved from justice secretary to home secretary after Cooper was appointed as the new foreign secretary.
Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves keeps her job as chancellor, and Lisa Nandy will remain as culture secretary.
Defense secretary remains in post
As part of the reshuffle, Lucy Powell was sacked as leader of the House of Commons, replaced by Alan Campbell, while Ian Murray also lost his job as Scotland secretary as Douglas Alexander takes the post.
Pat McFadden, a Cabinet Office minister, has been appointed as the secretary of state for work and pensions, replacing Liz Kendall.
Meanwhile, John Healey will remain as the defense secretary.
Steve Reed, former environment secretary, became the new housing secretary, while Peter Kyle became the business secretary, previously held by Jonathan Reynolds.
Emma Reynolds will replace Reed as environment secretary.
Jonathan Reynolds now becomes the new government chief whip, and Liz Kendall will take his old post as science secretary.
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