Angela Rayner breaks silence for first time since quitting government with bold pledge

Angela Rayner has broken her silence for the first time since quitting government nearly a month ago. The former deputy Prime Minister finally issued public comments on social media in the middle of Labour's annual Liverpool conference, making a bold promise despite the circumstances surrounding her fall from power.

Ms Rayner finally spoke after receiving a number of warm words from serving Cabinet ministers, including her successor as Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. Mr Reed used his speech to reveal that while Sir Keir had offered him his "dream job" it was "not under the circumstances I would have wanted. So can I begin by thanking my good friend Angela Rayner for all she has done for our party and our government over so many years."

He added she was a "true working class hero" and it is a "privilege to follow in your footsteps."

Responding to the praise, Ms Rayner thanked Mr Reed, alongside other delegates, activists and members at the conference, whom she branded "the lifeblood of this Labour Government."

The Greater Manchester MP added: "I'm sad not to be alongside you all in Liverpool this year, but I'm with you in spirit - and will continue fighting for working people."

The comments were the first put up on Ms Rayner's social media accounts since she posted her resignation letter on September 5.

She was forced to quit all three of her official roles - Deputy Prime Minister, Housing Secretary, and Deputy Labour Leader - in the wake of a stamp duty scandal in which she underpaid £40,000 of tax on a new flat in Brighton.

In her resignation letter to Sir Keir, Ms Rayner said: "I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as Housing Secretary and my complex family arrangements. I take full responsibility for this error. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat that it was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount."

Ethics watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus said Angela Rayner had "acted with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service" but concluded she breached the ministerial code over her tax affairs. He said in a report presented to Sir Keir: "Accordingly, it is with deep regret that I must advise you that in these circumstances, I consider the Code to have been breached."

Sir Keir Starmer told Angela Rayner "you will remain a major figure in our party" and will "continue to fight for the causes you care so passionately about" as she resigned.

Ms Rayner has received tributes from other senior Labour figures over the past two days, including her successor as Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.

The Justice Secretary told the conference floor: "I was raised by a strong single mother, who often struggled to put food on the table. But she fought hard to give her children the best start she could.

"So I know what a real working class hero looks like when I see one. And in recent years I had the honour of working alongside one of those heroes. Someone who got Britain building again, won new rights for working people, and who is the beacon of working women across our nation.

"Conference, join me in thanking Angela Rayner for all she has done and all she will continue to do."

Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also paid credit to her for securing £39 billion for social housing at the last spending review.