Transport Secretary Louise Haigh QUITS after admitting to being a convicted fraudster over stolen phone claim
After confessing to being a convicted fraudster in connection with her lost phone allegation, TRANSPORT Secretary Louise Haigh resigned.
The 37-year-old Labour minister previously told police that she was robbed on a “terrifying” night out in 2013 and provided them with a list of the things that were gone from her handbag.
Her work cell phone was on that list, but she found “some time later” that it had not been taken.
Haigh was employed by the insurance company Aviva at the time as a public policy manager.
Haigh stated that she pleaded guilty to an offense related to deceiving the police and expressed sorry for the error.
Prior to becoming Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow policing minister, the Labour MP was a Met special constable.
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Following her appointment as her Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary in 2020, she informed Sir Keir Starmer about her conviction.
The Transport Secretary sent a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer this morning announcing her resignation.
Huge blow for ‘furious’ PM
By Political Editor Harry Cole
Given that Louise Haigh was solely known for giving striking train drivers billions in salary increases the week that pensioners were denied their winter heating payments, you might be forgiven for believing that her brief tenure in public life was illegal.
We now know, however, that she was a real convicted felon who was taken into the government.
Any prime minister will eventually lose his first cabinet member, but Sir Keir Starmer’s brief response to Haigh’s resignation letter makes it clear how furious he is right now.
The Prime Minister is in an unusual position for a man who stepped on the steps of Downing Street vowing to put an end to sleaze.
He is embroiled in controversy, just like a lot of the predecessors he condemned.
Following the revelation of a convicted fraudster around his cabinet table, Sir Keir’s administration has suffered a setback on the basic basis of ethics, which he requested be the basis for evaluation.
Even if the prime minister is understandably furious, he cannot avoid answering several questions regarding the selection of his transport secretary, including who was aware of what and when.
Haigh asserts When she was employed to his opposition front bench, Starmer was made aware of her deception; however, his then-chief of staff, Sam White, might have some insight into this terrible tale.
He used to work as a boss at Aviva, where Haigh was fired following her conviction.
What did the renowned Whitehall witch hunter know when she let Haigh into the cabinet? Sue Gray is back in the news again.
She will be aware of the reality because she oversaw cabinet appointments.
No10 may be hoping that this can be resolved fast, but they also need to address the important question: why was Haigh hired in the first place if she had to quit suddenly due to this problem?
Why was it acceptable to enter the cabinet but now required to leave?
And that’s before we discuss whether any other ministers present are concealing these kinds of secrets.
She wrote: “I should have told my employer right away, and it was a mistake not to do so right away.
“I understand that this problem will unavoidably divert attention from completing the job of this government and the programs to which we are both dedicated, regardless of the facts of the case.
“I am sorry to leave under these circumstances, but I take pride in what we have done.”
“Thank you for your efforts in delivering this Government’s ambitious transport agenda,” the Prime Minister wrote in response.
“With the establishment of Great British Railways, the investment of $1 billion in our essential bus services, and the reduction of driver costs, you have made tremendous progress in restoring public control of our train system.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh admits to being convicted fraudster
“I know you still have a huge contribution to make in the future.”
The Prime Minister was criticized by Tory Chairman Nigel Huddleston for including a convicted fraudster in his Cabinet.
“These are very alarming disclosures regarding the individual in charge of overseeing 30 billion dollars of taxpayer funds,” he stated.
Regarding what he knew and when the individual he chose as Transport Secretary admitted to lying to the police, Keir Starmer has some significant questions to address.
Haigh was handed a conditional discharge for fraud by misrepresentation, according to The Guardian.
She claimed that after the work phone was turned on, she was summoned to talk with the police.
“I regret following my solicitor’s advice not to comment during that interview,” she stated in a statement.
“I appeared before Southwark magistrates after the police referred the case to the CPS.
“Under the advice of my solicitor I pleaded guilty – despite the fact this was a genuine mistake from which I did not make any gain.”
According to sources quoted by Sky News, Haigh submitted the bogus claim in order to gain personal advantage and receive a newer phone from the corporation.
According to two individuals, the event led to her losing her job.
At the time, Haigh was employed by Aviva, an insurance business, as a public policy manager.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh admits to being convicted fraudster after telling cops her phone had been stolen
She was elected MP for Sheffield Heeley after working for the corporation from 2012 to 2015.
Six months prior to the 2015 general election in which she was elected to parliament, Haigh had an appearance at the Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court.
Haigh stated in her statement that the Court granted her a discharge, the lowest possible result.
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Now, her conviction is regarded as “spent”.
According to an Aviva spokesperson, the company was not commenting.
Louise Haigh’s resignation letter in full
Respected Prime Minister,
As you well aware, I was robbed in London in 2013. It was a terrible experience for a woman of twenty-four.
I called the police to report the event right away.
I provided the police with a list of the items I thought had been taken, including my work phone.
After a while, I found that the disputed handset was still in my home.
I should have told my boss right away, and it was a mistake for me to wait.
I appreciate that whatever the facts of the matter, this issue will inevitably be a distraction from delivering on the work of this government and the policies to which we are both committed.
I will always be grateful for the support you have shown me, and I take great pride in what we achieved since the election.
Just today, our Bill bringing the railways back into public ownership received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament.
This is a once in a generation reform to our railways which will change our country for the better.
A commitment made by leaders of our Party for decades, finally delivered.
I am proud that we have also taken the first steps to putting buses back in the hands of passengers and local people, work which will be completed by the Buses Bill when it is laid next month.
My appointment to your Cabinet as the youngest ever woman remains one of the proudest achievements of my life, but not as proud as the steps we took to improve the lives of the British people.
I remain totally committed to our political project, but I now believe it will be best served by my supporting you from outside Government.
I am sorry to leave under these circumstances, but I take pride in what we have done.
I will continue to fight every day for the people of Sheffield Heeley who I was first and foremost elected to represent and to ensure that the rest of our programme is delivered in full.
Yours faithfully,
Louise
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