Keir Starmer 'offers Angela Rayner Cabinet job' in final dice roll to stave off leadership challenge

Angela Rayner was privately offered a return to Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet in a final roll of the dice to stave off a potential leadership challenge, insiders have claimed.

The Prime Minister discussed Ms Rayner's potential return to the Labour frontbench earlier this month in an apparent attempt to head off a leadership coup.

Sir Keir faces a premiership-defining moment next Thursday, with Labour sources fearing potential leadership pacts between Ms Rayner, Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband.

Ms Rayner discussed her political future with Sir Keir during a visit to a school in Greater Manchester on April 14.

Mr Burnham, who is harbouring ambitions of a return to Westminster, was also present in the conversation.

However, the ex-Deputy Prime Minister is believed to be uncertain about returning to the Cabinet after expressing concerns about the current crisis engulfing No10.

It is understood that Ms Rayner is hopeful that an HMRC investigation into her tax affairs will be closed as soon as this week.

Sir Keir managed to face down a leadership scare last night after 15 Labour MPs rebelled on a vote to investigate him over Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's Ambassador to the US.

The vote would have referred him to the privileges committee, the powerful Commons ethics body that forced the resignation of Boris Johnson.

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