An MP who used House of Commons-branded stationery to write a letter of complaint after she missed out on the opportunity to buy a £195 pair of Star Wars-themed high heels will not face any action.
Angela Rayner, Labour MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne, wrote to shoe retailer Irregular Choice to express her frustration at missing out on a pair of R2-D2 heels.
But the Manchester Evening News reported that, following a probe by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for ‘misuse’ of Commons notepaper, she will not face any further action or investigation.
The R2-D2 high heels that Rayner missed out on
A spokeswoman for the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards said: “We received a complaint, but we will not be investigating.”
Rayner was thoroughly mocked for her complaint, in which she wrote: “I have only ever brought [sic] your shoes and I am loathed to do so again, or recommend your shoes to others.
“I am writing to let you know that treating customers in that way will only cost you more in the long term.”
The chain’s head of retail, Daniel Theophanides, said that Rayner sent two letters, one to head office and the other to the firm’s Brighton outlet.
Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne
He said that he was “very shocked” at the wording of the letter, adding that it “wasn’t nice, it was cruel”.
Theophanides said that Rayner had mistakenly believed she was on a pre-order list, when in fact customers had to buy them in person from the company’s shops.
Rayner’s rant led to her being branded “Shoebacca” by the Sun.
Irregular Choice stocks a wide range of Star Wars-themed shoes, including Yoda, C3PO and Darth Vader numbers.
"Modest" use of House of Commons stationery is permitted under parliamentary rules.