Like most political scandals, the heat of the Angela Renner housing dispute is less about the (alleged) crime than the (alleged) cover-up.

Or, to put it another way, it all depends on how honest and transparent the Labor deputy leader is in responding to allegations about her living arrangements from a decade ago.

The rebuttal comes from Ms. Rayner From the start it was (paraphrasing) “This is all a big Tory slur, the house in Vicarage Road is my main residence and there’s nothing to see here”.

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Greater Manchester Police New investigation reopened It may depend on whether officials believe that is the case.

If they found that this was not the case, it is difficult to imagine extremely harsh judicial penalties being imposed.

But there would still be a huge political cost, as it would destroy the Labor deputy leader’s defense and call into question her honesty.

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For a politician known for her forthright and unabashed approach – she often takes it upon herself to condemn various Tory indiscretions – such a humiliation may prove too severe to survive.

Alternatively, a police health certificate could end up burying the story for Labor and letting Ms Rayner off the hook.

But even if it achieves its later goals, the party and its second-highest figure appear to face at least a few more days of tough coverage.