Defence Secretary John Healey defended Sir Keir Starmer’s “clear, swift, fair action” following his former deputy’s admission that she mistakenly underpaid stamp duty on a seaside flat she bought earlier this year.

It comes as speculation mounts over who could replace Ms Rayner as deputy Labour leader, with Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry already confirming she is considering running for the job.

Ms Rayner quit as housing secretary, deputy leader and deputy prime minister after the Prime Minister’s ethics watchdog found she had breached the ministerial code, triggering an early Government reshuffle.

Mr Healey said the new-look Cabinet meant a “good team” was now in place to deliver policy after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham expressed concerns about the

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