Resident pays for graffiti clean-up at Rayner flat

Graffiti appeared on a white wall on the outside of the home earlier this week

A resident has paid for graffiti to be removed from outside Angela Rayner's flat in Hove, the council has said.

The graffiti appeared on a white wall on the outside of the home earlier in the week, after Ms Rayner admitted underpaying stamp duty on the property.

The 45-year-old quit as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy Labour Party leader on Friday, following an official probe into the admission.

A Brighton & Hove City Council spokesperson said on Friday: "Due to security concerns, and in line with our policy of removal of offensive graffiti, we have removed graffiti reported in Hove. This has been paid for by a resident."

Sussex Police has asked with anyone with information to contact the force

Ms Rayner's spokesperson has called the vandalism "totally unjustifiable and beyond the pale" and said it was a matter for the police.

Across the road from her seafront flat, "Tax evader Rayner" and "Rayner tax avoidance" were written on construction chipboard.

Ms Rayner's spokesperson said: "This vandalism to residents' homes is totally unjustifiable and beyond the pale.

"Neither Angela nor her neighbours deserve to be subjected to harassment and intimidation.

"It will rightly be a matter for the police to take action as they deem appropriate."

The MP for Hove and Portslade, Peter Kyle, said he was disappointed at the graffiti.

Mr Kyle, who became Business and Trade Secretary in Friday's reshuffle, said: "I'm really disappointed that the heritage wall has been defaced over this issue. Hove is better than this."

Workers from Brighton & Hove City Council turned up to clean the property

Workers from Brighton & Hove City Council turned up to clear off the graffiti on Thursday afternoon but withdrew after complaints from locals about how quickly the clean up was happening compared to similar vandalism across the city.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said on Thursday: "We have been made aware of graffiti outside an address in Hove.

"The matter is being treated as criminal damage and we are proactively making enquiries to gather information as to the circumstances.

"We will be contacting the homeowner to identify and address any further concerns.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact us."

Additional reporting by PA Media