Region's MPs saddened as Rayner steps down

LABOUR MPs in the North East have lamented the “huge loss” of Angela Rayner from the Government, after the deputy prime minister resigned over a tax row.

- DANIEL HOLLAND AND JAMES ROBINSON

Ms Rayner stepped down yesterday after Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser found she had breached the ministerial code over an underpayment of stamp duty on her £800,000 south coast flat.

Her departure heralded a major reshuffle, which saw Foreign Secretary David Lammy appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, Yvette Cooper move from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood become Home Secretary.

Tynemouth MP Sir Alan Campbell moves from being Chief Whip to Leader of the House of Commons, while Pat McFadden was appointed Work and Pensions Secretary, replacing Liz Kendall, who becomes Science Secretary. Steve Reed, former Environment Secretary, takes up Ms Rayner’s old post as Housing Secretary. Emma Reynolds will replace Mr Reed as Environment Secretary and Peter Kyle becomes Business Secretary, the job previously held by North East-born Jonathan Reynolds, who replaces Sir Alan as Chief Whip.