Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness in her tax affairs, ending an investigation that began last year [1, 2]. Rayner settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty after initially paying a lower rate but was not fined [1]. The tax probe had hung over her since she resigned from the cabinet in September 2025 amid the inquiry [1].
Rayner said, "I have been exonerated by HMRC of the accusation that I deliberately sought to avoid tax" [2]. She expressed determination to continue serving the public: "I’ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it’s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes" and added, "Whatever role I can play, I will keep pushing and pushing hard because I want the people out there at the moment who are really struggling … to know that I’m putting all my energy into fighting for them" [1].
Rayner also spoke out about the personal toll of the investigation, saying she felt "bruised" by the intrusion into her disabled son’s private life during the tax probe [1].
Her clearing opens the door for Rayner to run in a Labour leadership contest, with many seeing her as a possible left-wing candidate opposing centrist contenders Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting [1, 2]. Starmer’s leadership is under threat after Labour suffered heavy losses in May 2026 local and regional elections [1, 2]. Streeting announced plans to launch a leadership challenge on May 14, 2026, which requires backing from 81 Labour MPs out of the party’s 403 Commons members [1, 2].
Rayner resigned from the cabinet in September 2025 amid the HMRC investigation [1]. Today’s HMRC clearance removes a major obstacle to her possible candidacy. The Labour leadership election contest will develop over the coming weeks as challengers seek support from MPs and party members.
