Shadow local government minister Jim McMahon describes the controversy around Angela Rayner as a "minor issue" that has been "blown up out of all proportion" by the Conservative Party in order "to be a plague on all our houses". Labour's deputy leader has promised to step down if she is found to have committed a crime as police investigate claims that she may have broken electoral law. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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00:00 The issue itself, as far as I'm concerned, is a minor issue.
00:03 It's dominating the airwaves.
00:05 And of course, it's right that we all come here and answer the question directly.
00:08 The public would expect that of us.
00:10 But my strong view is that this is a very minor issue
00:12 that has been blown up out of all proportion,
00:14 because it's a desperate attempt from the Conservatives
00:16 to be a plague on all of our houses.
00:18 They want people to believe that all politicians are in it for themselves,
00:21 all politicians are breaking the rules.
00:23 I'm afraid that is just not the case.
00:25 And that's why Angela has taken the in principle stand to say, look,
00:29 allow the police investigation to run its course.
00:31 They're operationally independent and they need to be allowed to do that
00:34 in the right way without interference.
00:37 And on conclusion of that, our expectation is firmly
00:40 that that will draw a line under the matter and we can move on conclusively.
00:43 But if not, she has said, look, if I've done something wrong,
00:46 I'll be accountable for that and I'll step aside.
00:49 And I think that just shows kind of great character, really.
00:51 And, you know, if I was Risha Sunak looking at his cabinet and his government,
00:55 I'd be trying to take lessons, not being critical.