‘Tory hypocrites hounded Angela Rayner over her tax affairs for weeks’

For weeks, the Tories have hounded Angela Rayner over her tax affairs.

Labour’s deputy leader has repeatedly denied avoiding capital gains tax when she sold her former council house. This has not stopped the Conservatives and their allies in the right-wing press from harrying and smearing her.

Rishi Sunak has twice raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions, while senior Tories have demanded an independent investigation, in addition to a police inquiry. Today, the Mirror reveals at least four Conservative politicians might have been liable for capital gains tax on the sale of their taxpayer-funded homes.

But when we asked if they had paid the tax, they refused to answer. One even claimed it was a long-standing convention for MPs not to comment on personal tax matters. The hypocrisy is staggering. If Mr Sunak genuinely cares about transparency, he will order his MPs to come clean.

If he fails to do so, he will expose the Tory hounding of Ms Rayner for what it is: A politically motivated witch-hunt.

Hollow boasts

RISHI Sunak last week claimed the economy had turned a corner and people will soon start to feel better off.

He should tell that to the 98,000 pensioners who had to turn to foodbanks last year.

He should tell it to the 14.4 million, including 4.2 million children, living in poverty in the UK.

Living standards have stagnated during his time in Downing Street, with the economy £300 smaller per person than when he took office. Instead of boasting, the Prime Minister should ask why so many are struggling.

Trouble vision

IT wouldn’t be Eurovision without the outrageous costumes, controversy and last-minute drama.

Not even the poor showing for Britain’s Olly Alexander could spoil the party. Hopefully, we’ll be on song next year.