Angela Rayner ‘clear she followed rules’ when buying Hove flat, says Bridget Phillipson

Education secretary defends her cabinet colleague against claims she avoided stamp duty when buying property

Bridget Phillipson has defended her cabinet colleague Angela Rayner over accusations the deputy prime minister avoided tax when buying a seaside property in East Sussex.

The education secretary said Rayner had the right to buy the 800,000 flat in Hove so long as she followed all the rules", after reports Rayner had avoided 40,000 in stamp duty by listing it as the only property she owns.