Starmer refuses to say if he will sack Rayner if she broke rules

Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly refused to say if he will sack Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner if his standards adviser concludes she broke the ministerial code.

Rayner referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus after she admitted underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove.

She has said the “mistake” was the result of incorrect legal advice which failed to “properly take account” of her circumstances.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Keir said he would “of course act” on the conclusions of Sir Laurie’s report which he expected to be “comprehensive” and delivered quickly but would not be drawn on whether Rayner would be fired.

Sir Keir rejected a comparison with Boris Johnson, who as prime minister did not sack Priti Patel as his home secretary despite the then-adviser, Sir Alex Allen, saying she had broken the ministerial code.

The prime minister said he had strengthened the ministerial code and the role of the adviser since taking office.

The code sets out the standards ministers are expected to uphold including honesty and integrity.

Sir Laurie can advise on whether ministers have adhered to the code, but the prime minister decides what if any action to take.

Asked about report, which sources say could be published as early as Friday, Sir Keir said: “I do think in the end we need to establish the facts, which the independent advisor will do and come to a conclusion.

“I don’t think it’ll take long now for that bit of process to conclude and then, of course, it does fall to me.

“I completely accept that, to make a decision based on what I see in that report.”

Sir Keir said he knew on Monday that Rayner was taking further advice on her tax payments.

Rayner’s team initially said she had paid the right amount of stamp duty on Thursday in response to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

However, on Friday evening she asked a lawyer to review her situation. On Wednesday morning the KC offered their final advice which concluded she had not paid the right amount.

Acknowledging the underpayment, Rayner said: “I deeply regret the error that has been made. I am committed to resolving this matter fully and providing the transparency that public service demands.”

The prime minister – along with other cabinet ministers – has backed Rayner, telling MPs he was “very proud to sit alongside” her.

Both the Conservative and Reform UK have called on Rayner to resign.

Tory Party chair Kevin Hollinrake told BBC Breakfast: “If this was a Conservative member of Parliament, who was in the same situation, I think Angela Rayner would be calling for that person to step down.”

“You cannot be hypocritical in these matters, you’ve got to be consistent.”