Starmer judgement in spotlight after Cabinet reshuffle

Rayner exit forces

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THE resignation of Angela Rayner left the Government engulfed by turmoil last night, with Sir Keir Starmer forced to carry out an emergency reshuffle of his Cabinet.

Ms Rayner quit as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after an independent ethics watchdog found she broke the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on the purchase of a flat in Hove by £40,000.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, she took “full responsibility for this error” and said she was quitting partly because of the “unbearable” strain on her family.

In response, Sir Keir accepted Ms Rayner’s decision and paid tribute, saying: “You have been a trusted colleague and friend. You will remain a major figure in our party.”

But Conservatives said the scandal raised questions about the PM’s judgment, after he defended his deputy earlier this week by claiming she was the victim of a “briefing

‘It's only because of Starmer's weakness she wasn't sacked days ago’