Angela Rayner was privately offered a return to Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet in a final roll of the dice to stave off a potential leadership challenge, insiders have claimed.
The Prime Minister discussed Ms Rayner's potential return to the Labour frontbench earlier this month in an apparent attempt to head off a leadership coup
Sir Keir faces a premiership-defining moment next Thursday, with Labour sources fearing potential leadership pacts between Ms Rayner, Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband.
Ms Rayner discussed her political future with Sir Keir during a visit to a school in Greater Manchester on April 14.
Mr Burnham, who is harbouring ambitions of a return to Westminster, was also present in the conversation.
However, the ex-Deputy Prime Minister is believed to be uncertain about returning to the Cabinet after expressing concerns about the current crisis engulfing No10.
It is understood that Ms Rayner is hopeful that an HMRC investigation into her tax affairs will be closed as soon as this week.
Sir Keir managed to face down a leadership scare last night after 15 Labour MPs rebelled on a vote to investigate him over Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's Ambassador to the US.
Angela Rayner discussed her potential return to Cabinet with Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham
|PA
The vote would have referred him to the privileges committee, the powerful Commons ethics body that forced the resignation of Boris Johnson.
Ms Rayner has been ramping up her public appearances in recent months, urging Sir Keir to be “bolder” and not to ape Reform policies.
Rumours have also swirled around Westminster that the ex-Housing Secretary wants Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood booted out of the Cabinet if she were to return to the Labour frontbench.
Sir Keir has long suggested Ms Rayner would eventually secure a post in his inner circle, describing his former deputy as “hugely talented”.
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Keir Starmer 'reduced to begging own MPs' in sleaze vote, Kemi Badenoch slams | PAHowever, Sir Keir refused to be drawn on her potential appointment during a heated exchange at Prime Minister's Questions.
After the Prime Minister refused to rule out demoting Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "The former deputy Prime Minister is on manoeuvres.
"This Government is like a bad episode of Game of Thrones.
"His own people have turned against him, and all the while, the Prime Minister is holed up in his castle, wetting himself about a visit from the King in the North yesterday.
Sir Keir Starmer faced MPs at PMQs today
|PARLIAMENT TV
"Mr Speaker, yesterday, one Labour MP actually said that his days are numbered."
However, Sir Keir responded: "Mr Speaker, she talks about political games; that's what she was doing yesterday.
"This House considered our motion, [and] rejected it decisively, because everyone saw it for what it was: a desperate, baseless political stunt ahead of the May elections.
"Mr Speaker, whilst she and they were playing games here, I was chairing a meeting in Cobra, going through the contingencies and managing our war in the Middle East.
Angela Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister last September
| PA"They think this little game is more important than managing the implications of the war in the Middle East, which will affect every single one of their constituents, and none of them ask any questions about it."
Steve Reed, who succeeded Ms Rayner as Housing Secretary following her resignation last September, told GB News that he plans to have dinner with the "fantastic" ex-Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend.
Responding to reports Ms Rayner could return to Cabinet, Mr Reed said: "Angela is a close friend of mine.
"I'm actually having dinner with her this weekend, and I'm really looking forward to seeing her."