Starmer opens door for Rayner's return

SIR Keir Starmer has said he “absolutely” wants Angela Rayner back in his top team, despite a recent poll that shows she would beat him in a leadership contest.

- BY KATIE HARRIS and MARTYN BROWN

Returning MP: Angela Rayner has not ruled out a comeback

The Prime Minister heaped praise on the Labour firebrand, saying she was the “best example ever in the UK of social mobility” and opened the door for her return to frontline politics.

Ms Rayner quit as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and Labour deputy leader earlier this year in a row over her tax affairs.

Speaking to reporters at the G20 summit in South Africa, Sir Keir said: “I’ve always said I want Angela back. Even back in September, at the time I said she is going to be a big voice in the Labour movement.

“But do I want Angela back at some stage? Yes absolutely. She is the best example ever in the UK of social mobility, going from a pretty challenging childhood to being deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom. She is the story of social mobility above all other stories.”