Keir Starmer calls tax accusations against Angela Rayner a ‘smear’

Keir Starmer has launched a bullish defence of his embattled deputy, Angela Rayner, after the chief constable of Greater Manchester police said she was facing investigation “over a number of assertions”.

The Labour leader told MPs on Wednesday he believed the accusation that Rayner lied about her primary residence to avoid tax was a “smear”.

While Starmer has largely tried to avoid commenting on the controversy in recent weeks, he tackled the issue head-on during a session of prime minister’s questions during which the two party leaders traded personal attacks.

Starmer’s comments came hours after Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said Rayner was under investigation on a number of accounts.

Rayner on Friday pledged to step down as deputy leader of the Labour party if a police investigation found she had committed a crime.

She said: “I’ve repeatedly said I would welcome the chance to sit down with the appropriate authorities, including the police and HMRC, to set out the facts and draw a line under this matter.