Starmer is ‘weak’ for refusing to read Angela Rayner’s tax advice, PM says as Labour deputy leader dragged into new row
RISHI Sunak today slammed Sir Keir Starmer as “weak” for not reading Angela Rayner’s tax advice.
At a speech in London, the PM accused the opposition chief of “hiding behind his team” as the “two homes” scandal plaguing Labour rumbles on.
Mr Sunak said: “The question is for Keir Starmer as to why he is refusing to himself read the advice that seems to exist, why it’s not been published, and make a decision on this and I think that actually just displays a lack of leadership and weakness on his part.
“There clearly are questions to answer. That’s clear for everyone to see.
“And he, you know, rather than hiding behind his team, just actually read the advice himself, publish the advice and clear this up.”
It comes as Ms Rayner has been dragged into a new row after public documents show her eldest child listed on the electoral roll where she claims she didn’t live.
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The Labour deputy’s son – who was then in his late teens – was living with his stepfather in a Stockport property rather than his mum.
The under-fire politician was on the electoral roll at the time in 2014 around a mile away – which she says is her “principal property”.
The revelation by The Times comes as Greater Manchester Police revealed they are investigating several lines of inquiry including whether she supplied the wrong electoral roll details when she lived between the two homes.
But photos posted on social media reveal her son’s room at the home by her then husband Mark Rayner.
Teenagers can be listed on the electoral roll from the age of 17. The documents show the politician’s son was on the electoral roll in 2014 when he was aged 17.
It’s also been claimed that the family received a grant to refurbish the house to aid her youngest child who is disabled.
The senior Labour figure claims that her Vicarage Road property was her “principal” home. She bought the home under the right to buy scheme.
But neighbours claim her brother lived there and she lived nearby at Lowndes Lane.
Rayner has continued to deny any wrongdoing and has said she will comply with the authorities.
But the issue has continued to distract Labour from their local election campaigning.
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has refused to look at legal advice she was given at the time she sold her property.
Meanwhile, Labour has destroyed key documents that could have proved crucial in the Angela Rayner “two homes” investigation.
The party said it has “disposed of” the application she filed in 2014 when trying to become a candidate in the election the following year.
A spokesman yesterday said it had been erased some time ago in line with data protection laws.
It would have revealed where the now deputy leader had claimed to be living and provided evidence to the ongoing police probe.