𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Ms Rayner’s colleagues in Government have lined up to defend her record, with trade minister Douglas Alexander on Friday morning telling Times Radio she was in politics “for the right reasons”.

Mr Alexander also urged patience ahead of the conclusion of the investigation, telling BBC Breakfast: “I would just ask your viewers to think, what would they want, in their circumstances, in their workplace. Of course, there need to be procedures.

“There’s frustration while that process is under way but I think everyone is entitled to due process, and that’s the process that’s under way, but, listen, I get it.”

He added: “I’m not pretending these are headlines that any of us would choose, least of all Angela Rayner, and that’s why, if the reports are true that this is going to be dealt with relatively quickly, of course, I think that’s basically a good thing, not just for Angela, but for the Government as well.”

Mr Alexander told LBC that “on a personal level” he hopes Ms Rayner remains as Deputy Prime Minister.