• Rayner says she deeply regrets tax mistake.
• Starmer sad to lose “trusted colleague and a true friend”.
• Rayner ruled to have broken the ministerial code.

BIRMINGHAM: British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after saying she deeply regretted her mistake of underpaying property tax on a new home, in a damaging blow for her boss, Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

After Britain’s independent adviser ruled that she had breached the ministerial code by failing to pay the correct tax, there was little Starmer could do to protect his deputy, saying he was “very sad to be losing you from the government”, describing her as a “trusted colleague and a true friend”.

Rayner, 45, is the eighth, and the most senior, ministerial departure from Starmer’s team, and the most damaging yet after the British leader offered her his full support when she was first accused of avoiding 40,000 pounds ($54,000) in tax on the transaction.

Starmer has now suffered the most ministerial resignations, outside government reshuffles, of any prime minister at the beginning of their tenure in almost 50 years — more even than Boris Johnson in his chaotic period in office.

“I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice … I take full responsibility for this error,” she said in her letter to Starmer.

“Given the findings, and the impact on my family, I have therefore decided to resign,” said Rayner, who also stepped down as a minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party.

In a particularly emotional letter, Starmer said he believed she had made the right decision but understood it was one “which I know is very painful for you”.

“On a personal note, I am very sad to be losing you from the government … Even though you won’t be part of the government, you will remain a major figure in our party.”

The independent adviser on ministerial standards ruled Rayner had broken the code because she had failed to heed the warning within the legal advice – which she said she had relied on – to seek expert advice on her complicated financial situation.

“It is with deep regret that I must advise you that in these circumstances, I consider the Code to have been breached,” he said, referring to rules to make sure the conduct of politicians meet the standards of public service.

Reform celebrates

With Labour trailing Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK in the polls, Starmer faces difficult state spending and tax choices as he seeks to repair his party’s image after accusations of hypocrisy by critics over accepting expensive items including clothing and concert tickets from donors.

On the first day of Reform’s party conference in the central English city of Birmingham, Farage brought forward his speech by three hours to address Rayner’s resignation.

Farage said the Labour government was in “deep crisis” and the next election may take place in 2027, implying that Labour, who hold a big majority, might call one early for fear its support was slipping.

“Despite all the promises that this would be a new, different type of politics, is as bad, if not worse, than the one that went before,” he told the audience to loud applause.

For Starmer, losing his deputy is particularly damaging, especially as Rayner – once a working-class teenage mother – had been able to mediate between Labour’s left and centrist wings to keep the party united, and had a wider appeal than Starmer.

“Any resignation is a blow, especially Ange (Rayner), but she clearly had to go,” said one Labour lawmaker, adding she would probably stay quiet for a while but could, at a later date, try to mount a challenge against Starmer.

Rayner had been forced to refer herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards on Wednesday after admitting that she had made a mistake over the tax payment.

In an interview in which she appeared close to tears, she described setting up a trust for one of her sons, who has lifelong disabilities as a result of an injury.

It was to that trust that she sold her share of her family home in northern England to pay for an apartment in the southern English seaside resort of Hove, believing she would not have to pay the higher rate of tax charged when buying a second home.

After starting to take further legal advice last week, a day after the allegations first surfaced, she then said on Wednesday she had made a mistake and was taking steps to pay the additional tax.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said India and Russia seem to have been “lost” to China after their leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, highlighting his split from New Delhi and Moscow as Beijing pushes a new world order.

“Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump wrote in a social media post accompanying a photo of the three other world leaders together at Xi’s summit in China.

Asked about Trump’s post, the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters in New Delhi that he had no comment.

Representatives for Beijing and Moscow could not be immediately reached for comment on Trump’s post on his Truth Social platform.

Xi hosted more than 20 leaders of non-Western countries for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Putin and Modi were see holding hands at the summit as they walked toward Xi before all three men stood side by side.

Modi’s warming ties with China comes as Trump has chilled US-India ties amid trade tensions and other disputes. Trump earlier this week said he was “very disappointed” in Putin but not worried about growing Russia-China ties.

Six Flags Qiddiya City is set to be Saudi Arabia’s first Six Flags amusement park and a hallmark attraction within the broader Qiddiya City entertainment mega-development outside Riyadh. Qiddiya City is an integral part of Saudi Vision 2030, a bold initiative aimed at diversifying the economy and establishing the kingdom as a global leader in tourism.

Developed by the Qiddiya Investment Company in partnership with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the park is scheduled to open in late 2025. This park is designed to become a centre for entertainment, sports, and the arts. Six Flags runs theme parks across the US and in Canada, Mexico, and China. The original park was founded in Texas in 1961 and themed on the six flags that once flew over the state.

The ambitious project represents a multibillion-dollar investment to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and attract millions of visitors annually. As a testament to Qiddiya’s commitments, both parks are set to create thousands of jobs, nurturing local talent and enhancing the attractions industry within the kingdom.

Key features at a glance

Record-breaking rides

The park will feature 28 rides and attractions across six themed lands, including five world-record rides:

Falcon’s flight: The star of the show — poised to be the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. Height: approximately 195 metres (639 feet)

• Top speed: up to 250 km/h (155 mph)
• Track length: around 4.2km

Other record-setting attractions include:

Sirocco Tower: Tallest free-standing shot tower ride

• Gyrospin: Tallest pendulum ride
• Spitfire: Tallest triple-launch coaster (in “Valley of Fortune”)
• Iron Rattler: Tallest tilted coaster

Six immersive themed lands

The Citadel: The central hub beneath a Bedouin-style canopy; houses eateries, shops, and entertainment zones

City of Thrills: High-adrenaline attractions including Falcon’s Flight and Sirocco Tower

Discovery Springs: A lush, water-themed oasis with waterfalls and rainforest-style relief

Valley of Fortune: Adventure amid ancient Arabian ruins, featuring Spitfire, Skywatch, Treasure Trail, and Canyon Charters

Grand Exposition: A celebrated showcase inspired by World Expos, featuring Gyrospin, the wooden-steel hybrid coaster Colossus, Arabian Carousel, Expo Flyer, and bumper rides.

Steam Town and Twilight Gardens are also featured, though details are less public; Steam Town likely focuses on mechanical-themed thrills while Twilight Gardens offers family-friendly wonder.

Family and amenities

Offers a mix of thrilling rides and 18 family-friendly attractions.

Amenities include 27 international F&B outlets, 24 retail shops, a baby care center, and day-long entertainment shows.

Sustainability and economic impact

Over 80% of operational waste will be recycled.

Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the park aims to drive tourism, diversify the economy, and create thousands of jobs.

Integrated with Aquarabia Water Park

Aquarabia Water Theme Park will make a splash with 22 state-of-the-art water rides and attractions, including the world’s tallest water coaster and the world’s tallest double-loop water slide. The water park will welcome guests to eight themed areas, including Surftopia, featuring Saudi Arabia’s first surf pool. Together, these attractions will set a new standard for family-friendly entertainment in the region.

Both parks are designed as a walkable, interconnected entertainment district.

Operator partnership: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the official operator, bringing its global expertise to manage both the theme park and Aquarabia. Brian Machamer leads the operations of both parks.