She lost the battle for Dorneywood, the magnificent grace-and-favour mansion, to Rachel Reeves. Now Angela Rayner has another historic home in her sights.
Insiders say the Deputy Prime Minister has locked horns with Foreign Secretary David Lammy over Chevening, the Palladian mansion set in 3,000 acres in Kent.
Traditionally, the foreign secretary has had the use of Chevening, although it has been shared with other Cabinet ministers in the past.
Mr Lammy has not yet been able to use it yet, as it has still not been allocated. The mansion is also undergoing a refurbishment.
A ministerial source said: ‘Angela and David are fighting over who gets Chevening when the refurbishment is finished.
Insiders say the Deputy Prime Minister (pictured) has locked horns with Foreign Secretary David Lammy over Chevening
David Lammy (pictured) has not yet been able to use the house yet, as it has still not been allocated
Angela Rayner has another historic home in her sights after fighting Rachel Reeves over Dorneywood. (Pictured, Chevening House in Kent)
‘Angela is angry she lost Dorneywood to Reeves, but David is digging in.’
During the Coalition government deputy prime minister Nick Clegg was given joint use of it with then-foreign secretary William Hague.
Last week it emerged that Ms Rayner would not be given the use of Dorneywood, the 21-room country house in Buckinghamshire, after weeks of speculation.
Instead it was quietly confirmed that the Chancellor will be using it instead.
This was seen as a blow to Ms Rayner because the last Labour deputy prime minister, John Prescott, was handed rent-free use of the 18th-century pile.
Allies of Ms Rayner said she is more focused on her official duties.
