Resident Covers Cost of Graffiti Clean-Up Outside Angela Rayner’s Hove Flat

Graffiti daubed outside the seaside flat of Angela Rayner in Hove has been removed – with the cost covered by a local resident, Brighton and Hove City Council has confirmed.

The offensive messages, including the word “b****” and a larger sign reading “tax evader!”, appeared on the white exterior wall earlier this week, following Ms Rayner’s admission that she underpaid stamp duty on the property.

Ms Rayner stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister, Housing Secretary and Deputy Labour Leader on Friday (5 September) after an official probe into the matter.

The Prime Minister and Ms Rayner both condemned the vandalism.

A council spokesperson said:

“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.”

Concerns had been raised locally over who would foot the bill for the clean-up.

A spokesperson for Ms Rayner described the vandalism as “totally unjustifiable and beyond the pale,” adding that it would be a matter for police.

Further graffiti was also spotted across the road from her seafront flat, including phrases such as “Tax evader Rayner” and “Rayner tax avoidance,” while similar markings were found on nearby pavements.

Downing Street also issued a statement, condemning the attack on Ms Rayner’s home, calling it “appalling” and stressing that politicians’ private homes should not be targeted.

Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle – newly appointed Business and Trade Secretary – said he was “really disappointed that the heritage wall has been defaced over this issue,” adding:

“Hove is better than this.

"There are many ways people can express their anger and disappointment in Angela Rayner, including reporting her to the Commissioner for Standards.

"But defacing a wall is not one of those ways.”

Council workers initially arrived on Thursday to remove the graffiti but were withdrawn after complaints from residents about the speed of the clean-up compared to other incidents in the city.

Sussex Police confirmed they are treating the matter as criminal damage and are making enquiries.

A spokesperson said:

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting serial 528 of 04/09.”