Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he is prepared to sack Angela Rayner if a standards investigation finds she broke the ministerial code over an underpayment of property taxes on her flat.
On Thursday, Sir Keir accepted that the decision "falls on him" to axe Ms Rayner if the ethics probe rules she breached the ministerial code.
Ms Rayner admitted to paying £40,000 less stamp duty than she should have on her £800,000 home in Hove.
During Prime Minister's Questions, the Labour leader rallied behind Ms Rayner, affirming he was "very proud to sit alongside" her.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves also threw her support behind the housing secretary, adding that she had "full confidence" in her and claimed she had "tried to do the right thing".
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he is prepared to sack Angela Rayner if a standards investigation finds the Deputy Prime Minister broke the ministerial code
| GETTYSir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards, is expected to publish the report on Ms Rayner's conduct on Friday.
Sir Keir said he would "act" on Sir Laurie's findings if it concludes the Deputy PM breached the code.
The Prime Minister said: “We need to establish the facts and come to a conclusion.
“Obviously, I will look very carefully at whatever report he puts in front of me... and then of course I will act."
The Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards is expected to publish the report on Ms Rayner's conduct on Friday
|HOUSE OF COMMONS
Despite the support for Ms Rayner from her colleagues in the House of Commons, Government insiders have suggested her future might not be so secure.
One minister told The i Paper: “Yesterday, I thought she would be fine, today I think things are slipping.
"I just don’t see how she can stay in charge of housing."
Another source, lashing out at an alleged media smear campaign, blasted: “At the moment, two points of view can co-exist; you can think she’s still an asset because she’s working class and a victim of the Mail and Telegraph snobbishness.
ANGELA RAYNER TAX SCANDAL - READ MORE:
- Angela Rayner's lawyers deny giving her tax advice as deputy PM accused of making them 'scapegoats'
- Angela Rayner's tax scandal adds up once you realise Reform UK is in her backyard - Kelvin MacKenzie
- 'I almost lost my home over stamp duty. What Angela Rayner has done makes my blood boil'
- Angela Rayner handed scathing takedown on tax affairs scandal: 'I have no sympathy for her!'
Despite the outpouring of support for Ms Rayner from her colleagues in the House of Commons, Government insiders have suggested her future might not be as secure
|HOUSE OF COMMONS
“On the other hand, you can also think Keir is going to find it hard to keep her at housing whatever the outcome tomorrow.
"This might change tomorrow, but right now there is a distinction.
"Some people may be privately saying they think she can’t survive, but no one is gathering in corners actively saying she should go."
Ms Rayner blamed "legal advice that I received" for avoiding payment of the £40,000 tax bill on her seaside property.
PICTURED: The words 'tax evader' sprayed over the entrance to Angela Rayner's flat in Hove
| PABut lawyers for the Deputy Prime Minister declared they had not provided her with any tax advice on the flat purchase.
Joanna Verrico, the managing director of small family-run firm Verrico & Associates, told The Telegraph: "We did not - and never have - given tax or trust advice.
"It's something we always refer our clients to an accountant or tax expert for.
"We probably are being made scapegoats for all this."