Angela Rayner has ‘no choice but to step down’ (Image: Getty)
Angela Rayner has “no choice but to step down” after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 Hove flat. Though she has prime minister Keir Starmer’s backing, today BBC Breakfast delivered a major blow to the deputy PM as Conservative Party chair Kevin Hollinrake said she “has to resign”.
Appearing via videolink from Westminster, Hollinrake said: “We do think Angela Rayner has to resign. This is the housing secretary, the rules are very clear. In fact they’re very clear on the HMRC website. You have a responsibility to manage your own affairs, take reasonable care when paying your tax.’
“I think it’s very clear that both Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have been very very critical of others who engage in tax avoidance, which is lawful, but nevertheless they consider it immoral and I have a certain sympathy with that.
“This goes even beyond tax avoidance. I think when you stand in this position and put yourself as a paragon of virtue in these things – particularly at a time when other people are having to tighten their belts and are facing increased taxation today and possibly tomorrow in terms of more property taxes, which is largely the responsibility of Angela Rayner – I don’t think she has any other choice other than to step down.”
BBC Breakfast delivered a troubling blow to Rayner (Image: BBC)
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Rayner says she has contacted HMRC to work out the tax she needs to pay, and referred herself to be investigated by Starmer’s standards adviser. Starmer, meanwhile, insisted he was “very proud to sit alongside” her at PMQs.
Reports mounted that she had saved £40,000 in stamp duty on her flat in East Sussex as she did not pay the higher rate reserved for additional home purchases.
Rayner also has a family home in Ashton-under-Lyne, which she has put into a trust for her disabled son and removed her name from the deeds. But the nature of the trust, according to tax experts, meant her Hove flat could not be treated as her only property as she or her children can still benefit from living in the Ashton home, where she still pays council tax
Davina McCall hosts the new BBC show (Image: BBC/CPL Productions)
Davina McCall returned to our screens tonight with her fresh BBC dating programme, Stranded on Honeymoon Island. The show’s concept involves complete strangers getting hitched. After the 12 singles meet for the first time during a speed-dating event, they are then paired off by matchmakers.
Later that day, the newly matched couples say their vows and head directly to a secluded island with nothing but their wedding attire, an outdoor toilet, and three weeks to test their bond. However, as the first episode aired on Wednesday night, viewers were quick to draw comparisons to Married At First Sight, which is broadcast on E4.
One viewer posted on X:”#StrandedOnHoneymoonIsand continues to struggle for ratings in Australia… Will BBC One’s version later this year struggle like its Survivor reboot did? Or with its mix of Married at First Sight and Survivor prove more popular in the UK?” While another commented: “I never understood the appeal of MAFS, but I absolutely don’t understand how people can degrade themselves on a show like Honeymoon Island, and I’ve only seen the promos.”
Another viewer questioned whether the format was necessary at all, writing: “With traitors, race across the world, destination x, apprentice, and plenty of reality focus on BBC One, was #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland actually needed? Bit ott reality and too little focus on hit drama BBC1 2025.”
Stranded on Honeymoon Island launched tonight (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/CPL Productions)
Despite this, one enthusiast felt particularly excited about the series and was eager to witness television favourite Davina, recognised for appearing on The Masked Singer and formerly presenting Big Brother, return to their screens.
They commented: “@ThisIsDavina is back with a new amazing and epic looking reality show with #StrandedOnHoneyMoonIsland on @BBCOne. Can’t wait to be glued to it and see Davina add that extra bit of spice and fun to it!” #BBCOne #HoneymoonIsland.
Despite the tepid response, the programme has reportedly already secured a second series.
Speaking to The Sun, the source revealed: “It doesn’t want the exact same format, just something that can provide a similar kind of tropical, steamy vibe – and bosses think that’s what they’ve got on their hands here.
“Of course, they’ll wait to see what the audience reaction is, but execs have already cast their eye over early versions of the series and are feeling confident.”
Davina McCall hosts the dating show on BBC One (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/CPL Productions)
The source claimed executives are eager to “renew their vows” with another series of the programme.
The show features complete strangers getting married. Following a speed-dating session where 12 singletons meet initially, matchmakers then pair them with a partner.
That same day, the matched couples exchange vows and depart immediately to an isolated island carrying only their wedding attire, an outdoor toilet, and three weeks to evaluate their compatibility.
Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for further comment
