British DPM quits over property tax payment

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Sept 5 after she admitted underpaying property tax on a new home, in a fresh blow for her boss, Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

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Ms Rayner, 45, is the eighth, and the most senior, ministerial departure from Mr Starmer's team, and the most damaging yet, after the British leader offered her his full support when she was first accused of deliberately trying to avoid paying the correct tax rate.

"I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice... I take full responsibility for this error," Ms Rayner said in her letter to Mr Starmer.

In response, Mr Starmer said he was very sad that her time in government had ended in this way, but added that she had reached the right decision.

With Labour trailing Britain's populist Reform UK in polls, Mr Starmer faces yet more challenges in trying to repair his authority and his party's image, which has previously been hit by accusations of hypocrisy by critics over accepting expensive items, including clothing and concert tickets, from donors.