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12:49 POLITICS

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Starmer makes cabinet reshuffle after deputy PM resigns

2025-09-05 20:48:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made changes to his cabinet on Friday after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned over a tax error while buying a house.

Starmer made a major and forced cabinet reshuffle after 14 difficult months in office, during which his popularity has fallen sharply.

Foreign Minister David Lammy was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in place of Angela Rayner, and also took on the post of Minister of Justice.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper took over as Foreign Secretary, while Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood was appointed Home Secretary.

Rayner breached ministerial ethical standards.
These changes were made after Rayner submitted her resignation to Starmer because an independent investigation found that she had not met the ethical standards required of British Government ministers in relation to the recent purchase of a flat in Hove, in southern England.

The investigation concluded that she should have sought more detailed advice, even though she had acted in good faith.

"I take full responsibility for this mistake," Rayner wrote in her resignation letter to Starmer.

"I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that it has never been my intention to do anything other than pay the appropriate amount," she added.

In response, Starmer expressed regret but said Rayner made the right decision.

"I have nothing but admiration for you and great respect for your achievements in politics," Starmer wrote.

Rayner is an extremely popular member of the Labour Party and was seen by many as Starmer's potential successor.

In addition to resigning as deputy prime minister and minister, Rayner also resigned as deputy leader of the party, which means members will have to elect someone new.

Starmer hopes these bold changes will give him the opportunity to regain control of the political agenda after days of speculation about Rayner's future and months of turmoil over his administration.

His government has suffered a sharp decline in support since its landslide victory in last year's election, following a series of failures in welfare reform and rising public concerns about immigration.

Rayner will remain a lawmaker in Britain, but in the back seats of Parliament.

In the United Kingdom, fees are imposed on the purchase of properties, with fees being higher for more expensive homes and second homes.

Reports suggest that Rayner saved nearly $54,000 by not paying the relevant tax on the purchase of the apartment worth about $1 million.

Rayner, 45, had explained that her "complicated living circumstances", related to her divorce in 2023 and the fact that her son has "lifelong disabilities", were the reason why she had failed to pay the relevant tax.

In his resignation letter, Rayner also said he had to "consider the huge impact that the constant media pressure is having on my family."/ REL