STARMER HAS THE STRONGEST TEAM

Reshuffle after Rayner resigns is applauded as decisive action

- BY ALEXANDER BROWN Assistant Political Editor

KEIR Starmer's shakeup after Angela Rayner quit over her tax affairs has created the “strongest team", says a senior minister.

Chief Secretary to the PM Darren Jones applauded the reshuffle, brought forward to Friday by the former deputy prime minister's decision.

Ms Rayner resigned after ethics watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus ruled she had breached the ministerial code by underpaying £40,000 in stamp duty on her flat in Hove, East Sussex.

She said it had been a mistake made in good faith. Sir Laurie said she had “acted with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service”.

David Lammy became Deputy PM, Yvette Cooper Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood Home Secretary.