𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Nigel Farage surprised onlookers this afternoon when offering a rare defence of Angela Rayner amid questions into her purchasing of a second home. Ms Rayner has been accused of hypocrisy by opposition politicians, including Reform UK, as Labour looks to hike taxes on second homes, and after criticising wealthy people hoarding property amid a housing crisis.

Speaking at his deportation press conference this lunchtime, however, Mr Farage rallied to Ms Rayner’s side. Asked for a response to the furore, the Reform UK leader said: “Isn’t it funny that the residence that Angela Rayner is living in in London is now coming under criticism from James Cleverly [The Tory Shadow Housing Spokesman], who wasn’t complaining when Michael Gove lived there. So it’s just party politics!”

“If Angela Rayner has been tremendously successful in business, and managed to acquire a property portfolio, and done it properly then jolly good luck to her!

He also took aim at the “hair shirt approach” to politics by opposition politicians and the media.

Mr Farage added: “I think probably most of the press want politicians in sackcloth and ashes! Would like us all to go vegan and give up drinking – well it’s not happening here! Of that I can assure you.”

Angela Rayner’s decision to buy a luxury flat on the Brighton sea front is the third property she now has access too, in addition to a £650,000 home in her greater Manchester constituency and the use of a grace-and-favour flat on Whitehall.

The Telegraph today reveals that the council tax bill for her government lodgings in Admiralty House are being picked up by taxpayers, and could be set to double under Labour tax plans.

A source close to Ms Rayner said: “Angela’s been proudly representing her constituents at Westminster for more than a decade.

“Her role as Deputy Prime Minister means she has to be in and near London more regularly for work, but she’s at home in Ashton-under-Lyne often and makes no secret of the fact she loves her garden.”

Yesterday comments emerged from Ms Rayner’s deputy at the Department for Housing, Matthew Pennycook, railing against the wealthy buying up multiple properties during a housing crisis.

He condemned the “negative impacts of excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.”

Reform UK’s Richard Tice said: “Rayner is the Everest of hypocrisy. She laments a housing shortage, wants to soak the rich, whilst selfishly building her own property mountain.”