Presenter Leah Boleto announced: “Some breaking news to bring you now. It’s been reported in The Guardian newspaper that Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs. Sky News understands that this can now pave the way for a potential leadership bid as Keir Starmer‘s grip on power unravels. Of course, the former deputy prime minister has settled their reporting at 40,000 pounds in unpaid stamp duty after initially paying the lower rates. We’ll bring you more on this story throughout the day on Sky News. A big day ahead in Westminster,” she concluded.
Rayner did not rule out running in any leadership race but said she would not “trigger” a contest. She told The Guardian: “I’ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it’s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes.
“Whatever role I can play, I will keep pushing and pushing hard because I want the people out there at the moment who are really struggling… to know that I’m putting all my energy into fighting for them,” she added.
Streeting is thought to have told allies he is preparing to resign on Thursday and announce a bid for the top job after Labour descended into open infighting at the start of the week.
If Streeting plans to mounts a challenge as expected he will need the support of 81 Labour MPs to begin a formal contest.
While some 87 MPs have called for Sir Keir’s resignation, they are not united behind a single replacement candidate.
Alongside Ms Rayner and Mr Streeting, other figures regarded as potential challengers include former party leader Ed Miliband, armed forces minister Al Carns and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
