PM says 'talented' Rayner will make cabinet comeback

Sir Keir Starmer has said “hugely talented” Angela Rayner will make a comeback to his cabinet as he slammed “misogynistic” criticism of her.

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE MILLIE COOKE

Ms Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy Labour leader in September after an investigation found she had underpaid stamp duty on her seaside flat in Hove.

In an interview with The Observer yesterday, the prime minister said that he missed Ms Rayner and described her as “the best social mobility story this country has ever seen”.

It comes as speculation grows that she could run on a joint ticket with health secretary Wes Streeting to challenge the prime minister for the Labour leadership amid concern over the direction of the government and its devastating approval ratings.

When asked if he missed his former deputy, Sir Keir said: “Yes, of course I do. I was really sad that we lost her. As I said to her at the time, she’s going to be a major voice in the Labour movement.”

Pressed as to whether she will be back in the cabinet, he added: “Yes. She’s hugely talented.”