Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after admitting she had underpaid property tax on a new home, a scandal that delivered a major setback to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.

The resignation followed a ruling by Britain’s independent standards adviser, who found Rayner in breach of the ministerial code for failing to pay the correct tax. With the judgment leaving little room for maneuver, Starmer accepted her decision, calling it a painful loss.

“I am very sad to be losing you from the government,” the prime minister said, describing Rayner as “a trusted colleague and a true friend.”

In her statement, Rayner expressed regret for her actions. “I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice… I take full responsibility for this error,” she said.

Citing the toll on her family as well as the official findings, she announced her resignation not only as deputy prime minister and cabinet minister, but also as deputy leader of the Labour Party