Angela Rayner resigns as deputy PM over failure to pay enough tax on flat - live updates

Makes sense from an internal party management point of view. Rayner remains a popular figure with the membership and the left of the party. Starmer might have known that he was going to end up needing to sack her, but it's useful for him (not always the most popular figure with that crowd) to show some support for her and avoid sticking the knife in. Ultimately the independent ethics report was going to come back with what it came back with, and Starmer and Rayner would both agree that she couldn't remain in role at that point- but at least it doesn't look like Starmer was itching for an excuse.

From the voting public's point of view, I'm not sure it makes much difference in this case. Starmer said he'd wait for the full facts, and then sacked her when he had the full facts. Anyone upset with him for not going a couple of days earlier would probably have been upset with him whatever he did anyway.

I think she knew tbh, the shit with her right to buy council house stinks as well.

It's a shame because I used to like her, but we shouldn't be surprised, given how she sold out to become deputy in the first place.