Angela Rayner has spoken out in reaction to a police investigation into her conduct concluding that “no further action” will be taken.
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, and the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, had been under investigation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) since 12 April 2024, following initial media reports into her primary registered legal residence potentially breaching electoral rules, which were then back up by complaints made to the police service by James Daly – who is the Conservative MP for Bury North.
Stockport-born Rayner repeatedly denied the claims and reports, and said GMP had initially decided against looking into them, Sky News reports.
This was until Mr Daly provided “claims from neighbours”, which prompted police to investigate.
Following what was described as a “thorough, carefully-considered, and proportionate” police investigation, GMP released a formal statement yesterday concluding that it would be taken no further action into Ms Rayner’s alleged conduct.
#UPDATE | Investigation into Angela Rayner MP concludes.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 28, 2024
After a thorough, carefully considered and proportionate investigation, we have concluded that no further police action will be taken. pic.twitter.com/sYopDdgOIQ
The statement provided by a GMP spokesperson reads in full: “Following allegations about Angela Rayner MP, Greater Manchester Police has completed a thorough, carefully considered, and proportionate investigation
“We have concluded that no further police action will be taken.
“The investigation originated from complaints made by Mr James Daly MP directly to GMP. Subsequent further contact with GMP by members of the public, and claims made by individuals featured in media reporting, indicated a strong public interest in the need for allegations to be investigated.
“Matters involving council tax and personal tax do not fall into the jurisdiction of policing. GMP has liaised with Stockport Council and information about our investigation has been shared with them. Details of our investigation have also been shared with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).”
Since GMP’s conclusion that “no further police action will be taken” yesterday, there has been a growing number of calls, both from opposition and on social media, for HMRC to take matters from here and begin conducting its own investigation, following police claiming information has been shared with the authority.
Angela Rayner has also broken her silence and spoken out for the first time following the conclusion of the police investigation.
She has thanked those “stood by” and “supported” her.
The Tories’ desperate tactics have been exposed for what they are and for all to see.
— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) May 28, 2024
They’ve failed once again.
I am grateful to all those who have stood by and supported me.
My focus now is on securing the change Britain needs, with the election of a Labour government. 🌹
Taking to X yesterday evening to address the outcome of the investigation, Ms Rayner wrote: “The Tories’ desperate tactics have been exposed for what they are and for all to see.
“They’ve failed once again.
“I am grateful to all those who have stood by and supported me. My focus now is on securing the change Britain needs, with the election of a Labour government.”
Featured Image – Flickr