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> quits
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>>23550632
Angela Rayner has reportedly quit the Government over the scandal involving her tax affairs.
The bombshell news was reported by Sky News shortly after an independent ethics probe into the Deputy Prime Minister's tax affairs reported to the Prime Minister on whether she broke ministerial standards rules.
One minister conceded on Friday morning there was "frustration" about the investigation process, and said it would be a "good thing" for the Government if the probe concluded quickly.
It comes as lawyers she blamed for her stamp duty underpayment denied having given her tax advice.
Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly declined to say whether he would sack his deputy, who is also the Housing Secretary, if his independent ethics watchdog rules against her.
The Prime Minister said he would "of course" act on the findings of Sir Laurie Magnus's probe following Ms Rayner's stunning acknowledgement that she failed to pay a£40,000tax surcharge on a flat she bought in Hove this year.
In a fresh twist on Friday, investment minister Baroness Poppy Gustafsson was reported to be set to leave the government.
Sky News said this pointed to a possible government reshuffle.
715 EDT