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'The honour of my life' Extracts from today's round of letters

The Guardian

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September 06, 2025

Extracts from today's round of letters

Extracts from Angela Rayner's letter to the prime minister

Dear Keir,

Thank you for the personal and public support you have shown me in recent days.

I have always taken my responsibilities as deputy prime minister, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, as well as a member of parliament with the utmost seriousness. I have long believed that people who serve the British public in government must always observe the highest standards, and while the independent adviser has concluded that I acted in good faith and with honesty and integrity throughout, I accept that I did not meet the highest standards in relation to my recent property purchase.

I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as housing secretary and my complex family arrangements.

I take full responsibility for this error. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat that it was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.

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