Posted: Wednesday, 10 September 2025 @ 09:37
As has been reported, Angela Rayner ignored two warnings that she should seek expert tax advice on her stamp duty payment, the ethics adviser has revealed.
Sir Laurie Magnus concluded that the then Deputy Prime Minister had broken the ministerial code in her dealing with the purchase of her second home, leading to her resignation in early September 2025 from the Cabinet and as deputy leader of the party.
Her failure to seek further advice led to Ms Rayner avoiding £40,000 in tax when she purchased a seaside home in Hove.
Whatever Ms Rayner's motives for not seeking advice she would not be alone in not seeking advice when she should do.
From my perspective the trend to now not for just for individuals to not seek professional advice when should do or but to have advice and challenge it or indeed ignore that advice.
The overriding factor is within society was traditionally individuals would defer to the expertise of other. Now that is not the case and individuals are much more prone to challenge that advice or indeed seek to do one's own thing.
And it manifests beyond the case of not respecting a recommendation to seek tax advice.
It manifests in individuals taking positive steps in their legal cases without any professional input. e.g writing letters, making legal threats and commencing legal action with no prior advice.
It manifests in individuals receiving advice but not necessarily either listening or acting on that advice.
Or just taking a significant step and presenting it to their lawyer as a fait accompli.
This can far reaching consequences which can be just as significant as what Angela Rayner experienced.
Any legal matter which goes to Court puts your matter before a third party namely a Judge.
If you make poor legal step you are vulnerable to either the judge seeing it and/or your opposing lawyer exploiting it.
For successful litigation you must have advice and seek to reach a team approach with your lawyer.
But unilateral actions by a litigant is unlikely to lead to good outcomes for most people.