Louise Haigh has resigned as the UK’s Transport Minister following revelations that she had falsely reported a theft to the police in 2013.
Haigh admitted that she had told police her work phone was stolen during a robbery, only to later discover she had not taken the phone with her at the time. The incident, which occurred before she became a Member of Parliament, led to Haigh receiving a conditional discharge from the court.
Haigh’s resignation marks the first in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government. The 37-year-old politician described her appointment as the “youngest female cabinet member” as one of the greatest achievements of her life.
At the time of the incident, Haigh worked as a public policy manager for insurance company Aviva. She later explained in a statement to Sky and The Times that she had reported a robbery in London, believing her phone to be among the stolen items. She subsequently received a new phone, only to realize later that her original device was still at home, prompting the police to investigate.
Haigh pleaded guilty to making a false report to the police six months before she became an MP in the 2015 general elections and was granted a conditional discharge.
As Transport Minister, Haigh had overseen key government policies, including the renationalization of the UK’s rail network under the Great British Rail plan.
