The United Kingdom’s Transport Secretary (Labour), Louise Haigh, has stepped down after admitting to a 2014 fraud conviction.
The scandal, revealed by Sky News on November 28, stems from her guilty plea for falsely reporting a stolen phone in 2013. Haigh announced her resignation early on November 29, citing the need to avoid distractions from the government’s agenda.
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Haigh recounted the incident, saying, “As a 24-year-old woman, the experience [of being mugged] was terrifying.” She admitted discovering the phone at home later but failing to notify her employer immediately, calling it a “mistake.” Haigh denied personal gain, despite claims from multiple sources alleging she fabricated the report to obtain a newer work phone.
Starmer, aware of her past conviction before appointing her, now faces criticism for his judgment. Conservatives are questioning why someone with a £30 billion transport portfolio was entrusted with such responsibility given her history. This controversy highlights perceived hypocrisy, as Starmer previously stated, “You can’t be a lawmaker and a lawbreaker,” during the “Partygate” scandal.
Haigh, the youngest cabinet member at 37, had championed Socialist transport policies, including rail renationalisation and public bus ownership. Her departure deals a blow to the government, already struggling with plunging approval ratings.
Meanwhile, a petition calling for a new general election has gained significant momentum, nearing 3 million signatures—a sign of growing public dissatisfaction with the Labour government.
