Police Reopen Investigation Into Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner listening to speakers on the main stage during the Labour Party conference in 2021.
(Gareth Fuller/PA Wire URN:62731960 (Press Association via AP Images))

Greater Manchester Police opened an investigation into Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner on Friday over allegations that she violated electoral laws by inaccurately reporting her primary residence.

The move comes after Conservative Party Deputy Chairman James Daly shared information with police that alleges the claims made by Rayner about her primary residence conflicted with neighbours’ reports and official documents. Rayner is accused of providing different addresses on the electoral roll and those on two birth certificates.

A police spokesperson told the BBC: “We’re investigating whether any offences have been committed. This follows a reassessment of the information provided to us by Mr Daly.”

For the Labour deputy leader, who is elected as an MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, conflicting declarations about her living arrangements on various official records could constitute a serious breach of electoral regulations.

In question is the home she acquired in 2007— a semi-detached property in Stockport, purchased with a 25% discount under the Right to Buy scheme. Daly’s allegations are that Rayner may have falsely declared this Stockport residence as her primary address on the electoral register but that this was not the case.