Failing on policy and their record in office, the Tories used bully tactics to disrupt the Labour campaign. Unfortunately, it didn’t work, and now they have to resort to policy debates.
Desperate Attempt to Smear Labour Deputy
Tory peer Lord Ashcroft wrote an unauthorised biography on Angela Rayner, in which he suggested some wrongdoing around her living arrangements and tax payments following a house sale.
Accusations She Avoided Tax
Rayner claimed she lived at the house she sold, so she didn’t have to pay capital gains tax when the sale was completed. However, there are accusations that she actually lived at a separate address with her then-husband.
Bill Could Have Been £3500
If that were true, she would have owed up to a maximum of £3500 in capital gains tax because the sale of the original house would have generated profits not associated with her primary residence.
Accusations Prompted Investigation
Conservative deputy chairman James Daly, a local political rival of Ms Rayner, requested that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launch an investigation into the issue.
Rayner Was Confident of No Wrongdoing
At the time, Rayner said: “I’ve repeatedly said I would welcome the chance to sit down with the appropriate authorities, including the police and HMRC, to set out the facts and draw a line under this matter. I am completely confident I’ve followed the rules at all times.”
Investigation Lasted Over a Month
GMP concluded their investigation and was satisfied that Rayner had no criminal case to answer. However, they did refer the issue to HMRC and Stockport Council for further investigation, stating that “council tax and personal tax do not fall into the jurisdiction of policing.”
Police Statement on the Issue
Greater Manchester Police said they had “completed a thorough, carefully considered, and proportionate investigation,” adding, “We have concluded that no further police action will be taken.”
HMRC Cleared Rayner
HMRC concluded that Angela Rayner didn’t owe any capital gains tax on the house sale, and no further action would be taken on the matter.
Stockport Council Also Cleared Her
The house Rayner sold was originally a Stockport Council house, so there was an investigation into the issue from them. They said, upon review of the matter, they would not be pursuing police action against Ms Rayner.
Labour Quick to Support Rayner
The Labour Party said: “The police have now completed their investigation into claims made by the Conservative Party deputy chairman and have concluded that no further action will be taken. Angela cooperated fully with the police investigation throughout.”
Rayner Took Expert Tax Advice
The statement continued: “Angela has always been clear that she was not liable for capital gains tax on the sale of the home she owned before she was an MP, that she was properly registered to vote, and paid the appropriate council tax. She took expert tax and legal advice which confirms this. This draws a line under the matter.”
Labour Leader Never Doubted Rayner
Keir Starmer said in a statement: “I never doubted that Angela hadn’t done anything wrong and now she’s been cleared by the police.”
Rayner Critical of Tory Tactics
“We have seen the Conservative Party use this playbook before – reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their dire record.”
Public “Have Had Enough”
“The public have had enough of these desperate tactics from a Tory government with nothing else to say after 14 years of failure.”
Personality Politics to the Fore
Rayner is right to point out the tactics used by the Tories here. They can’t run on their record, so they’ve resorted to dirty tricks, such as trying to smear their opponent.
Embarrassing Tory Sideshow Needs to End
Despite the Police, HMRC, and Stockport Council all clearing Rayner of any wrongdoing, the desperate Tory party wants the advice given to Rayner published.
Tory Statement Requesting Tax Information
A Conservative Party statement says: “Sir Keir Starmer could easily clear this up by simply reading and then publishing the tax advice Labour claims will exonerate his under-fire deputy.”
Glass Houses and Stones
The Tories might want to drop this issue, as investigative journalist Russell Scott has uncovered several mansions bought by Tory donors and councillors through money made during the PPE scandal.
Focus on Policy, Not Personality
This desperate attempt to smear the opposition has backfired for the Tories. Rayner has been cleared, and the whole saga can be put to bed. All it leaves is the stench of desperation around a failing Tory campaign.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Martin Suker.