‘We won’t let this derail us’: Angela Rayner to continue campaigning despite police inquiry

A defiant Angela Rayner will continue campaigning ahead of next month’s local elections, despite a police decision to open an investigation amid allegations of breaching electoral law and avoiding capital gains tax.

The deputy Labour leader vowed on Friday she would stand down if inquiries by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) led to a criminal conviction.

Jim McMahon, the shadow local government minister, said the allegations were a “storm in a teacup” yesterday and said it was unfair to compare her situation to Boris Johnson’s Covid fines.

In a brief statement, it would only say it was looking at “whether any offences have been committed ” in the light of material provided by James Daly, the Conservative deputy chairman, who asked them to look at the electoral roll and deeds relating to the sale of her council house.

skip past newsletter promotion Analysis and opinion on the week's news, culture and stories brought to you by the best Observer writers

“In this situation where the alleged events took place a decade ago, it seems a waste of time and resources to carry out an investigation for something that can’t be prosecuted.” It is also unclear that not paying capital gains tax on a second home would amount to an offence.