TRANSPORT Secretary Louise Haigh has resigned after admitting she was a convicted fraudster over her stolen phone claim.
The Labor Minister, 37, previously said she was robbed during a “terrifying” night out in 2013 and gave police a list of items that disappeared from her handbag.
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Louise Haigh told Sir Keir Starmer about the conviction in 2020
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Haigh was a special constable of the weather police
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Haigh’s resignation letter to the Prime Minister
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Haigh claims she was robbed in a ‘terrifying experience’ in 2013
She also included her business cell phone on that list, but “a little later” she discovered that it was not actually stolen.
At the time, Haigh was working as head of public policy for the insurance company Aviva.
Haigh said she regretted the mistake and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misleading police.
The Labor MP previously served as a Met special constable before becoming Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow police minister.
She denounced Sir Keir Starmer in 2020 after he appointed her shadow Northern Ireland Secretary.
This morning, the Transport Minister announced her resignation in a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
She wrote: “I should have informed my employer immediately and it was a mistake not to do so immediately.
“I appreciate that, regardless of the facts, this issue will inevitably disrupt the work of this government and the policies to which we are both committed.
“I’m sorry to leave under these circumstances, but I’m proud of what we’ve done.”
In his reply, the Prime Minister wrote: “Thank you for everything you have done for the realization of the ambitious transport program of this Government.”
“You have made great strides to bring our rail system back into public ownership by creating Great Britain Rail, investing £1 billion in our vital bus services and reducing costs for drivers.
Transport Minister Louise Haigh admits she was a convicted fraudster
“I know you still have a huge contribution to make in the future.”
Tory leader Nigel Huddleston has slammed the prime minister for appointing a convicted fraudster to his cabinet.
He said: “These are extremely worrying revelations about the person responsible for managing £30bn of taxpayers’ money.
“Keir Starmer must answer serious questions about what and when he knew about the person he appointed as Transport Secretary who admitted misleading the police.”
The Guardian reports that Haigh was given a conditional discharge for fraud by false representation.
She said she was called to speak to the police when the phone at work was on.
Louise Haigh’s resignation letter in full
Dear Prime Minister,
As you know, I was robbed in London in 2013. As a 24-year-old, the experience was terrifying.
Immediately after that, I reported the incident to the police.
I gave the police a list of my property that I believed was stolen, including my business phone.
Some time later I discovered that the handset in question was still at my house.
I should have notified my employer immediately, and not doing so immediately was a mistake.
I appreciate that, regardless of the facts, this issue will inevitably disrupt 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 am very proud of what we have achieved since the election.
Just today, our bill to return the railways to public ownership received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament.
This is a once-in-a-generation reform of our railways that will change our country for the better.
The commitment that the leaders of our party have taken for decades has finally been fulfilled.
I am proud that we have also taken the first steps in putting buses back into the hands of passengers and local people, a job which will be completed by the Buses Bill when it is tabled next month.
My appointment to your cabinet as the youngest woman ever remains one of the proudest achievements of my life, but not as proud as the steps we have taken to improve the lives of British people.
I remain fully committed to our political project, but now I believe that it will be best served by my support from you outside the Government.
I’m sorry to leave under these circumstances, but I’m proud of what we’ve done.
I will continue to fight every day for the people of Sheffield Heeley who I was elected to represent in the first place and to ensure that the rest of our program is delivered in its entirety.
With respect,
Louise
In a statement, she said: “My lawyer advised me not to comment during that conversation and I regret taking that advice.
“The police referred the case to the CPS and I appeared before Southwark magistrates.
“On the advice of my lawyer, I pleaded guilty – despite the fact that this was a genuine mistake from which I had no benefit.”
Sky News cites sources as saying that Haigh made the false claim in order to personally benefit and get a newer phone from the company.
Two sources claimed she lost her job at the time because of the incident.
At the time, Haigh was working as head of public policy at insurance company Aviva.
Transport Minister Louise Haigh has admitted she was convicted of fraud after she told police her phone had been stolen
She worked in the company between 2012 and 2015, after which she was elected as a representative in Sheffield Heeley.
Haigh appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court six months before the 2015 general election in which she was elected to parliament.
In her statement, Haigh claimed the court had given her the lowest possible outcome, a discharge.
Her conviction is now considered “spent.”
An Aviva spokeswoman said she was not commenting.
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At the time, Haigh was working as head of public policy at insurance company AvivaCredit: PA
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Haigh said she pleaded guilty on the advice of a lawyer
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