There are growing demands for Angela Rayner to publish the documentary evidence from HMRC that details how she did not act “carelessly” and had no penalty to pay. Because it doesn’t make sense…
Tax experts led by Labour’s Dan Neidle yesterday challenged the supposed ‘exoneration.’ If it really exists…
Neidle subsequently spoke to tax barrister Graham Aaronson KC, who said Rayner could challenge the extra tax bill in court – a proposition she refused. He put forward her side but Neidle concluded: “The position remains: we can’t assess whether HMRC acted correctly. If Ms Rayner wants people to accept that she acted properly, and HMRC’s decision was correct, then she should release the evidence that led HMRC to conclude she was not careless.”
Eyebrows have also been raised after Aaronson sent a two-page legal letter requesting that HMRC close the matter “as soon as possible,” after which she supposedly received a decision within 24 hours. Barking orders to the taxman doesn’t usually work for punters…
Guido hears that when Rayner was previously “exonerated” – about which concerns were also raised – just as the general election was called in 2024, the journalists with whom she did media did not see any proof. It was all based on trust…
The phantom ‘tax advice’ she received earlier in that scandal was never and has never subsequently revealed either. Even Starmer did not see it. Now once again no evidence has been published, and the media gave Rayner gasping interviews for her grand return to the fray on Thursday…
Basically what people must conclude from this HMRC decision, if it indeed is an HMRC decision, is that if you’re confused about how much tax to pay, you shouldn’t seek professional advice. You should just pay the lowest amount and hope that it all works out OK, knowing that if it doesn’t then you won’t have to pay any penalty. Unless Rayner publishes evidence to the contrary…
Paula Barker, Liverpool Wavertree MP backing Andy Burnham, told Times Radio there wouldn’t be trouble from the markets under Burnham:
“The markets will have to fall in line.”