Tagged graffiti referring to Angela Rayner as a 'tax evader' was eradicated following a resident financing the cleanup operation.
In a series of recent events, Labour Party member Angela Rayner has found herself at the centre of a controversy surrounding her residence in Hove, Sussex. The controversy began when The Daily Telegraph claimed that Rayner had avoided paying £40,000 in stamp duty on her flat in Hove.
Rayner, who did not own any other home when she bought the flat, initially believed that her circumstances meant she was liable for the standard rate of stamp duty. However, she later sought further advice from a leading tax counsel who advised of additional stamp duty liabilities due to "complex deeming provisions which relate to her son's trust."
The financial advice regarding the stamp duty issue at Rayner's flat was commissioned by the Labour Party. Following the revelation, graffiti calling Rayner a "tax evader" and other derogatory terms was found outside her £800,000 seaside property in Hove. The graffiti also appeared on a construction chipboard across the road, with messages like "Rayner tax avoidance."
Angela Rayner's spokesperson called the graffiti "totally unjustifiable" and a matter for the police. Sussex Police is treating the matter as criminal damage and is speaking to Rayner to address any further concerns. Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson condemned the vandalism in the strongest possible terms, and the prime minister also expressed similar sentiments.
The Brighton and Hove City Council initially scheduled to clear away the graffiti on Thursday afternoon, but withdrew after local complaints. The council later removed the graffiti, with the cost being paid for by a resident.
In a letter to Sir Keir, Rayner expressed regret for not seeking additional specialist tax advice sooner. The controversy culminated in Rayner's resignation from her positions as deputy prime minister, housing secretary, and deputy Labour leader on Friday.
Rayner's first home was sold to a trust following her divorce in 2023 to provide stability for her teenage son, who has lifelong disabilities and is the sole beneficiary of the trust. The home had been adapted for her son, and the sale to the trust was to give him "the security of knowing the home is his," according to Rayner.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking proper advice and understanding the complexities of tax laws, particularly in property transactions. It also highlights the need for respectful discourse in public life, even during times of controversy.
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