Angela Rayner was accused of wasting public money after her taxpayers-funded bodyguards ferried her partner around and helped move belongings between their homes. Sam Tarry, the former MP for Ilford South, was seen with her two close-protection officers moving boxes and bags in an £80,000 BMW X5 to and from their properties in Hove and Brighton.
Images show Mr Tarry taking items between her £800,000 seaside flat in Hove, East Sussex, and his £450,000 flat in Brighton. Ms Rayner’s spokesman confirmed the officers helped Mr Tarry move “a small number” of the ex-deputy prime minister’s possessions due to security risks she faces.
But the pictures have sparked criticism from opposition parties and campaigners.
Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty told the Mail on Sunday: “Highly trained close-protection officers shouldn’t be moonlighting as removal men.
“The public will be astonished at this outrageous waste of taxpayers’ money and appalled at such shameless behaviour.
“Angela Rayner’s arrogance has already cost her her ministerial career. Her sense of entitlement shows calls by senior Labour figures last week to bring her back are very poorly judged.”
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, added: “It’s right that politicians in need of security are provided with it. But with that comes a responsibility not to abuse that system.
“Given the details of this story, it’s clear there needs to be an investigation to check that no rules were broken.”
It comes after Ms Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy Labour leader last month in a row over her tax affairs.
A spokesman for Ms Rayner said: “Angela has a heightened and active security risk, and her property in Hove has been attacked with misogynistic and extremist graffiti.
“Mindful of the ongoing risks facing Angela, the security team facilitated her partner moving a small number of her possessions into a vehicle to minimise risk to her security.
“The close-protection team may undertake tasks based on the assessment of the situation and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the person they are protecting.”
A Commons spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual MPs’ security arrangements.”