Reiner admitted on Wednesday that she had not paid the appropriate tax on a flat she bought in Hove, on the south coast of England, this summer. The politician said today that an independent investigation had found that she had acted in good faith, but crucially, she should have taken more careful advice about the necessary taxes.

In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, she stressed that she takes full responsibility for this mistake.

Rayner turned to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Laurie Magnus, on Wednesday, who submitted a report to Starmer on Friday. While Magnus concluded that Rayner"acted with integrity and with determination and exemplary devotion to public service," he acknowledged "with deep regret" that she had breached the ministerial code of conduct.

In the UK, taxes are levied on the purchase of real estate, with higher taxes being charged on more expensive homes and second homes. Media reports said Rainer saved £40,000 by not paying the relevant levy.

Starmer said that Rainer had made the right decision in resigning, but added that he was truly sorry to lose such a member of the government.