UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has resigned after revelations emerged about her 2014 conviction for making a false police report regarding a stolen work phone while employed at Aviva in 2013.

Sky News

BBC News

UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has resigned after revelations emerged about her 2014 conviction for making a false police report regarding a stolen work phone while employed at Aviva in 2013.

Haigh, who was 24 at the time, claimed she mistakenly reported her work phone stolen during a mugging incident, later discovering it at home, and received a conditional discharge from magistrates for the offense.

The Telegraph

The Guardian

Haigh, who was 24 at the time, claimed she mistakenly reported her work phone stolen during a mugging incident, later discovering it at home, and received a conditional discharge from magistrates for the offense.

In her resignation letter, Haigh stated that "whatever the facts of the matter, this issue will inevitably be a distraction," and while "totally committed to [Starmer's] political project" this would be "best served" outside of Government.

In her resignation letter, Haigh stated that "whatever the facts of the matter, this issue will inevitably be a distraction," and while "totally committed to [Starmer's] political project" this would be "best served" outside of Government.

The conviction was "fully disclosed" to Starmer when Haigh joined the shadow cabinet in 2020. Haigh was first elected as an MP in 2015, and was the youngest member of Starmer's new cabinet overseeing a £30B transport budget.

Independent

The Times

The conviction was "fully disclosed" to Starmer when Haigh joined the shadow cabinet in 2020. Haigh was first elected as an MP in 2015, and was the youngest member of Starmer's new cabinet overseeing a £30B transport budget.

The resignation marks the first ministerial departure from Starmer's government, coming less than five months after Labour's election victory.

GB News

The resignation marks the first ministerial departure from Starmer's government, coming less than five months after Labour's election victory.

In response to the resignation, Starmer thanked Haigh and claimed that she still had "a huge contribution to make in the future."

Politico

In response to the resignation, Starmer thanked Haigh and claimed that she still had "a huge contribution to make in the future."

The incident was a genuine mistake by a young woman following a traumatic mugging experience, resulting in the lowest possible punishment, and should not overshadow Haigh's significant achievements in modernizing Britain's transport system.

The incident was a genuine mistake by a young woman following a traumatic mugging experience, resulting in the lowest possible punishment, and should not overshadow Haigh's significant achievements in modernizing Britain's transport system.

Louise Haigh resigns as UK transport secretary after admitting phone offence

LabourList

Louise Haigh resignation: PM and union chief lead tributes to Transport Secretary after decade-old conviction exposed

Starmer’s judgment is under scrutiny after Haigh’s resignation. Despite knowing about her conviction when appointing her, Starmer allowed her to hold a critical cabinet role until public exposure forced her to step down. This raises questions about his leadership and commitment to transparency. If a conviction is disqualifying now, why wasn’t it before? Starmer’s inconsistency undermines trust in his administration, suggesting political convenience outweighs accountability in his decision-making.

Starmer’s judgment is under scrutiny after Haigh’s resignation. Despite knowing about her conviction when appointing her, Starmer allowed her to hold a critical cabinet role until public exposure forced her to step down. This raises questions about his leadership and commitment to transparency. If a conviction is disqualifying now, why wasn’t it before? Starmer’s inconsistency undermines trust in his administration, suggesting political convenience outweighs accountability in his decision-making.

Spectator (UK)

Louise Haigh’s resignation raises questions for Keir Starmer

Daily Mail

Now No10 suggests Louise Haigh HID full details of fraud conviction when she joined Keir Starmer's top team: Transport secretary's resignation accepted after 'further information emerged' - but why di

Transport Secretary Resigns Over Past Fraud Conviction

The Spin

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Transport Secretary Resigns Over Past Fraud Conviction

The Spin

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