Angela Rayner, the UK Labour deputy leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, said Thursday she has been cleared of a tax investigation by HMRC [1].

This development removes a significant legal hurdle for Rayner as she positions herself for a potential bid for the Labour party leadership. By resolving the dispute over her tax status, she seeks to neutralize a primary line of attack from political opponents.

Rayner confirmed she settled an unpaid stamp-duty bill totaling £40,000 [2]. Despite the payment, she maintained that the investigation did not find evidence of intentional wrongdoing. "I have been exonerated of the accusation that I deliberately sought to avoid tax," Rayner said [2].

During an interview with ITV News, Rayner also addressed rumors regarding a political pact with Andy Burnham [1]. She denied the existence of any such agreement to share power or support each other's ambitions. "I have been cleared by HMRC and there is no deal with Andy Burnham," Rayner said [1].

While Rayner did not formally launch a campaign for the leadership, her statements suggest she is keeping the possibility open. The clarification of her financial affairs and her distance from Burnham appear designed to establish her as an independent contender for the top role in the party [3].

The tax probe had focused on whether Rayner owed stamp duty on a former residence. The settlement of the £40,000 [2] concludes the matter with the revenue service, allowing her to pivot back to party politics without the cloud of an active investigation.

“I have been cleared by HMRC and there is no deal with Andy Burnham.”

The resolution of the HMRC probe and the denial of a deal with Andy Burnham serve as a strategic 'clearing of the decks' for Angela Rayner. By settling the financial dispute and asserting her independence, she eliminates the two most immediate vulnerabilities—legal scrutiny and accusations of backroom dealing—that could have derailed a bid for the Labour leadership.