Louise Haigh, the UK’s transport secretary, has resigned from her government position after pleading guilty to a criminal offense related to falsely reporting a stolen mobile phone in 2013.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Haigh explained that while she remains “totally committed to our political project,” she believes it would be best served by supporting the government from outside her ministerial role. Her resignation follows her admission of making a false report to police about a supposed mugging incident where she claimed her work mobile phone was stolen.
Haigh described the incident as a “genuine mistake” and revealed that she was advised by a lawyer “not to comment” during the police interview. The case was subsequently referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. She pleaded guilty at a magistrates’ court six months before becoming a Member of Parliament in the 2015 election and received a discharge – the lowest possible legal outcome.
A discharge is a type of conviction where a court finds a person guilty but does not impose a sentence because the offense is considered extremely minor. Whitehall sources confirmed that Haigh had declared this discharge when she was appointed to the shadow cabinet during the Labour Party’s time in opposition.
In her resignation letter, Haigh acknowledged that the issue would “inevitably be a distraction” and expressed appreciation for her time in government. She noted that her appointment as the “youngest ever” female Cabinet member remained one of the proudest achievements of her life.
The resignation highlights the potential political and professional consequences of past legal issues, even when they are considered minor. Haigh’s decision to step down demonstrates a commitment to maintaining governmental integrity and avoiding potential ongoing controversy.
Her departure creates a vacancy in the transport secretary role, which could prompt a cabinet reshuffle or new ministerial appointment. The timing of her resignation and the circumstances surrounding the decade-old incident have drawn significant attention to her political career.
By choosing to resign, Haigh has attempted to minimize potential political damage to her party and the government, showing a willingness to take responsibility for her past actions. Her letter to the prime minister suggests a desire to continue supporting the political project while removing herself from a potentially disruptive situation.
The incident underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public office, with even minor legal issues potentially having significant professional repercussions for politicians and government officials.
