Angela Rayner criticises Westminster “arrogant tittle tattle” in first interview 48 Hours since resignation
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has criticised what she called “arrogant tittle tattle” in Westminster and urged Labour MPs to focus on unity, in her first interview since stepping down from government.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror during a visit to a care centre in her constituency, Ms Rayner condemned recent anonymous briefings and growing speculation about potential leadership manoeuvring. She said the political gossip consuming parts of Westminster felt completely detached from the everyday concerns of the public.
Asked directly whether she was considering a return to frontline politics, the former deputy Labour leader said she had not “gone away”.
“I am really humbled and I always have been,” she said. “The people of Ashton under Lyne have always supported me.
“For the 10 years that I have been in government I have had a number of front bench positions, and I have always brought it back to the people that I was there to represent. Having this opportunity now, to be more in the constituency and to champion those views, is something that I am humbled to do and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Ms. Rayner said she intended to continue focusing on issues such as child poverty, fair pay agreements and ensuring that the Employment Rights Bill is delivered in full.
Leadership speculation grows inside Labour
Her comments come days after the Prime Minister launched an investigation into the source of allegations that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was preparing a leadership challenge. Labour chair Anna Turley said Sir Keir Starmer would “take action” to prevent further internal attacks.
Mr. Streeting had earlier criticised what he described as the “toxic culture” surrounding the No 10 operation, prompting renewed questions about whether Sir Keir’s long standing ally and chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, could remain in his post.
Ms. Rayner said the dispute reflected poorly on Westminster.
“I think Wes has clearly set out his stall after what was a turbulent couple of days,” she said. “Being around here for the last hour just shows you that the tittle tattle in Westminster almost looks arrogant when you have real challenges that real people are facing. That is what we need to be focusing on.”
Sir Keir said he had been assured the briefings did not originate from Downing Street but added that he would “absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers or Cabinet ministers”.
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“I think the party should always be together,” Ms. Rayner said. “I have always been of that nature, and within our movement there are many different views. We should always look to bind ourselves within that.”
Ms Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy Labour leader in September after an independent ethics investigation found she had breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on a seaside flat.
Ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus said she had “acted with integrity” but had failed to follow legal advice about the surcharge she owed.
