Rayner 'to be questioned by police' about council house

Angela Rayner is expected to be interviewed under caution as part of a Greater Manchester Police investigation into the sale of her council house in 2015, according to reports.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The Labour deputy leader is said to have been contacted by the force to arrange a date for officers to question her about the controversy.

She will be asked about claims that she breached electoral law, failed to pay capital gains tax, and falsely received single-occupancy council tax discount.

The Sun on Sunday reported that officers had contacted the office of the Ashton-under-Lyne MP to arrange an interview. It is thought that she will be invited to attend a police station voluntarily and be interviewed under caution, rather than being arrested.

A source told the newspaper: “There is a lot of information already in the public domain, so there is no need to be heavyhanded. The police are more interested in gathering all the information they can, and having Angela come in and speak to them. They will then take a view on where the investigation goes from there, once they have assessed the evidence.”

Police investigating Ms Rayner have suggested that there are multiple allegations, which may extend beyond her housing arrangements. The allegations centre on the sale of her council house in Stockport and whether she broke electoral law by giving false information about her address during the 2010s.

Ms Rayner has promised to resign if she is found to have committed a crime, but has stated that she is confident she has done nothing wrong.