Burnham says he’s ‘not making excuses’ for Angela Rayner as stamp duty row deepens
Reporter: Ethan Davies, Local Democracy Reporter
Date published: 02 September 2025
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham will ‘not make excuses’ for his ‘friend’ Angela Rayner
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says will ‘not make excuses’ for his ‘friend’ Angela Rayner as a row over unpaid stamp duty deepens.
The MP for neighbouring Ashton-under-Lyne admitted yesterday (Wednesday) she did not pay enough stamp duty on her second home.
Reports claim she saved £40,000 in tax when she bought a flat in Hove, because she removed her name from the deeds of a family home in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, classifying the Sussex apartment as her only property - despite still spending time at the family house.
The deputy Prime Minister has now referred herself to the government’s ethics adviser and HM Revenue and Customs over the matter.
Both Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform’s Nigel Farage have called for Ms Rayner to resign.
But Liberal Democrat figurehead Sir Ed Davey, also the parent of a disabled child, said he ‘worries most about our son’s care after we have gone’, so he ‘completely understands and trusts that the Deputy Prime Minister was thinking about the same thing here’.
Mr Burnham has followed Sir Ed in saying the government should complete its investigation before a decision is made on Ms Rayner’s future.
“It’s clear a mistake has been made,” he told BBC Radio Manchester today (Thursday).
“I would ask people not to rush to judgement as it’s clear it’s a complicated situation.
“Angela’s life is complicated, she has a trust fund in relation to her son and that clearly makes things complicated when it comes to property.
“I am not making excuses. I do not think Angela would want me to do that.
“What I am saying is let the ethics adviser take a proper look at it and come back with an independent judgement. That’s got to be what’s done.”
When challenged why a local MP was buying a flat 200 miles away in Sussex, Mr Burnham said it’s ‘the reality’ of holding high office.
He added: “I can understand people saying that. I remember it being said to me many years ago when I was in the cabinet.
“Practically, when you are deputy Prime Minister, you have obligations on you and duties to carry out so you have to be in all parts of the country. That’s the reality.”
But the mayor also downplayed a suggestion Ms Rayner’s fall from grace could pave the way for his own bid to become Labour leader: “I do not go round plotting my return to Westminster.
“For the eight years I have been here I have been dedicated to the job and actually I feel the worst of Westminster is when everyone reads into this means that for this person.
"From my point of view my mind is very much on the job here.”
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
