Angela Rayner has blown open the leadership contest that is expected to erupt in Westminster today.
The Former Deputy Prime Minister said today that HMRC has cleared her of any wrongdoing over her tax affairs, a saga widely seen as her biggest roadblock to becoming PM.
Rayner stood down as Keir Starmer’s deputy in September after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat in Hove.
The Ashton-under-Lyne MP did not rule out throwing her hat into the ring as speculation ramps up that Wes Streeting is about to resign and challenge Sir Keir.
His leadership challenge could trigger a wave of other big beats in the Labour Party to throw their hat into the ring, including former leader Ed Miliband.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is said to be on the brink of announcing he has found a seat in the House of Commons that would allow him to stand in a contest.
Cut through the political noise
Understand how the Westminster chaos actually affects your life with Metro’s politics newsletter Alright, Gov? Sign up here.
Rayner has made clear she will not trigger a leadership contest and there are also reports she has struck a deal with Burnham, which she denied.