Rayner had no choice but to go, but her exit now puts Labour on fast track to civil war, writes Natasha Clark

By Natasha Clark

The judgement from Sir Laurie Magnus was clear - Angela Rayner did break the ministerial code, and she had to go.

Despite the political capital, Sir Keir Starmer was prepared to spend in a bid to save her, he had little choice but to cut her loose.

The Deputy Prime Minister was found to have acted "with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service."

However, he said it was an “unfortunate failure” that she didn’t pay enough stamp duty.

Read more: Rayner resignation triggers major Cabinet reshuffle as Lammy named deputy PM and Cooper moves to Foreign Office

He concluded that "in relation to this matter, she cannot be considered to........

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