GB News’ Miriam Cates received backlash after sharing her thoughts on Angela Rayner’s tax row

GB News presenter Miriam Cates was criticised by viewers as she called on people to consider “fairness” amid Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s property scandal. On Wednesday (September 3), the politician admitted she should have paid more stamp duty on a recent flat purchase and blamed incorrect tax advice for her “error” and said she will pay what is due. During the sobering interview with Sky News, Rayner added that she has also referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards.

With mounting pressures for Rayner to resign, GB News presenter Miriam Cates featured on Martin Daubney’s show to defend the Deputy Prime Minister. She said: “Call me old-fashioned, but I think fairness is really important, I think it’s a very important British value, and I think it underpins our democracy.” She continued: “This idea that we should treat our friends and opponents equally under the law and that we should be reasonable in our judgment of them and not gratuitously enjoy their downfall.” However, viewers revealed they were unimpressed by Miriam’s opinion as one said: “I don’t think it’s fair that she tried to dodge £40k when my taxes and costs of living are going through the roof.” As a second raged: “Miriam Cates has lost the plot. How gullible can a woman be to believe Rayner.” While a third echoed: “Miriam, she’s a hypocrite. There’s being fair but, you are talking about a woman who has criticised and slated Conservative MPs for the same thing.”

Angela Rayner admitted she failed to pay enough stamp duty (Image: Sky News )

Another viewer fumed: “Can’t believe Miriam is defending this woman gone right down on respect in our view!” As one said: “Miriam I know you like to see the good in people but if roles were reversed would you get the same consideration. I doubt it.”

The presenter also faced tough questioning as another asked: Hey [Miriam Cates] was Angela Rayner fair to her opponents? Was Angela Rayner fair to her lawyers? Was Angela Rayner fair to the British public? Defend your friend as much as you like, but don’t push fairness into this saga?”

Despite the backlash, Miriam continued: “It’s not just Angela Rayner that will be damaged by this gleeful pile-on, but all of our politics, and I do agree that she had some responsibility for creating the culture that we now live in.

“The previous Labour opposition, her and Starmer did an awful lot to bring down politicians that they thought had a sniff of wrongdoing, but nevertheless, I think the important thing here is to look at the facts.”

She added: “It’s not important whether we like Angela Rayner or not, it’s not important whether or not we think she’s a good politician at this point. The important thing is, has she committed tax fraud? If she has, she has to resign; if she hasn’t, she shouldn’t.”

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