Tories accuse Angela Rayner of asking civil servants to help her move house in breach of ministerial code
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Tories target deputy prime minister over where she lives again, with claims she instructed officials to help with transport and cleaning. The Conservatives have submitted an official complaint accusing Angela Rayner of allegedly asking civil servants to help her move into a grace-and-favour apartment once used by Winston Churchill.
![[Tory MP and shadow minister Paul Holmes has made the complaint]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2022/05/27/13/paulholmes.jpg)
The deputy prime minister reportedly instructed officials to assist with “transporting furniture” and “cleaning the accommodation”, according to the complaint from the Tory MP and shadow minister Paul Holmes. Mr Holmes told The Telegraph, which first reported the complaint, that if correct then it would be a “clear breach” of the ministerial code.
“The ministerial code states that ministers are appointed to serve the public and must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise,” he said.
“It also states that holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.”.
Mr Holmes also said that Ms Rayner should be sent a bill for the “estimated costs of civil service time”. The complaint has been submitted to the director of propriety and ethics at the Cabinet Office as well as the permanent secretary in Ms Rayner’s department.
