In a major political development, the United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister has stepped down following the conclusion of an inquiry into her tax payments related to a home purchase.
The probe reportedly centered on whether the senior official had failed to pay the correct amount of tax when buying a property, an issue that triggered widespread scrutiny and political pressure. After the findings were submitted, the Deputy Prime Minister tendered her resignation, saying she did not wish to distract from the government’s work.
Her departure is expected to intensify debates within Parliament and put additional strain on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration, which has faced a series of challenges in recent months. Opposition leaders have called the episode yet another sign of “poor judgment and weak oversight” in the government.
The ruling Conservative Party is now tasked with finding a replacement at a critical time, as the U.K. grapples with economic headwinds and ongoing debates over governance and accountability.