Mike Parry have launched sharp criticism at Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, accusing her of adopting a victim stance after acknowledging she failed to pay sufficient stamp duty on her property purchase.
The broadcaster claimed Ms Rayner possesses "a fantastic ability of turning herself into the victim" when confronted with controversy.
"She's very good at turning the 'I am a victim' violins on," Mr Parry stated on GB News.
The criticism emerged following Ms Rayner's admission that she had underpaid tax on her £800,000 seaside flat in Hove, potentially owing up to £40,000 in additional stamp duty.
The Deputy Prime Minister is in hot water
|GB NEWS / PA
Mr Parry referenced previous incidents, suggesting this represented a pattern of behaviour from the Deputy Prime Minister when facing scrutiny.
The Housing Secretary purchased the East Sussex property in May, initially declaring it as her sole residence for tax purposes, resulting in a £30,000 stamp duty payment rather than the £70,000 required for second homes.
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Ms Rayner maintains she acted on legal guidance when classifying the property, but subsequent consultation with "leading tax counsel" revealed the error, according to her public statement released today.
The Deputy Prime Minister divides her time between three residences: her constituency base in Ashton-under-Lyne, an official apartment at Admiralty House in Whitehall, and the newly acquired Hove flat.
Mike Parry lashed out at the Deputy Prime Minisster
|GB NEWS
Reports indicate she avoided the higher tax rate by removing her name from the deeds of her constituency property before the Hove purchase, though she had previously registered the Ashton-under-Lyne home as her primary residence elsewhere.
Mr Parry drew parallels to a previous controversy, stating: "On a much smaller scale, when it was said allegations had been made against her in her trying to taunt Boris Johnson, all of a sudden she turns up in trouser suits saying 'I'm being victimised'."
The GB News panellist suggested this represented a recurring strategy employed by Ms Rayner when confronted with criticism or allegations.
GB News star Andrew Pierce questioned whether the controversy would damage Ms Rayner's carefully cultivated image, asking: "Part of Angela Rayner's schtick is being an ordinary, working class, authentic MP. Is she now going to be dubbed a tax-dodger?"
Angela Rayner's tax affairs were debated on GB News
|GB NEWS
Andrew also highlighted the contrast between Ms Rayner's public persona and her property portfolio, remarking: "Two pads is one thing, but three…"
Ms Rayner disclosed she had discussed stepping down from her position with family members, including her former husband.
"I spoke to my family about it. I spoke to my ex-husband, who has been an incredibly supportive person because he knows that all I've done is try and support my family and help them," she told Sky News when questioned about potentially resigning.
The Deputy Prime Minister issued an extensive personal statement today, explaining she had received court permission to discuss previously restricted family matters publicly.
She has voluntarily submitted herself to the Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards for review, whilst confirming her intention to settle the outstanding tax liability.
Opposition MPs have demanded a formal ethics investigation into the matter, with Conservative politicians pressing for a comprehensive inquiry into Rayner's financial arrangements.
Former Labour MP Stephen Pound defended Ms Rayner during the GB News segment, expressing hope she wouldn't be labelled a tax evader and distinguishing between ordinary citizens' financial mistakes and deliberate avoidance by wealthy individuals.
"When you talk about that, people are desperate not to get into debt or break the law. It is often the toffs and multimillionaires who are tax dodgers," Mr Pound argued.
Ms Rayner's supporters had initially rejected suggestions of wrongdoing for several weeks before today's admission, creating additional political complications for the Labour leadership as they manage the fallout from the Deputy Prime Minister's tax controversy.