Deputy PM Angela Rayner ‘hires overseas affairs adviser’

Angela Rayner has hired a foreign affairs adviser as she looks to boost her profile on the world stage.

The Deputy PM’s housing, communities and local government department is said to have recruited an official to focus on international issues.

They are employed as a civil servant but previously worked as an aide to several shadow cabinet ministers, according to The Times.

The move emerged after it was revealed that Ms Rayner has been using a taxpayer funded photographer to highlight her activities.  

Allies argued that Ms Rayner would occasionally need to deputise for Starmer on foreign and diplomatic matters.

Angle Rayner’s housing, communities and local government department is said to have recruited an official to focus on international issues

Ms Rayner has hired a foreign affairs adviser as she looks to boost her profile on the world stage

Ms Rayner meeting with the Deputy PM of Pakistan in London earlier this month 

Sources also suggested it was better value for money to have someone ‘in-house’ rather than borrowing expertise from the Foreign Office.

At Labour conference this week Ms Rayner has tried to laugh off persistent suggestions she has been sidelined from key areas by Sir Keir.

Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake has taken charge of the workers’ rights package that was championed by Ms Rayner in Opposition. 

The deputy PM told the BBC on Sunday that she had never felt that was the case.

However, last week it emerged that Ms Rayner would not be given the use of Dorneywood, the 21-room ­country house in Buckinghamshire, after weeks of speculation.

Instead it was quietly confirmed the Chancellor will be using it instead.

That was seen as a blow to Ms Rayner because the last Labour deputy prime minister, John ­Prescott, was handed rent-free use of the 18th-century pile.