Louise Haigh's resignation raises questions for Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer is one cabinet minister down. This morning Louise Haigh resigned as Transport Secretary following the revelation that she had pleaded guilty to a criminal offence in 2014. Haigh admitted fraud by false representation at a magistrates’ court after she incorrectly told the police that a work mobile had been stolen in 2013. She was then convicted and received a conditional discharge. The incident occurred six months before she became an MP.

Starmer knew about the conviction prior to the press reports on Thursday

Announcing her resignation this morning in a letter to the Prime Minister, Haigh said she remained ‘totally committed to our political project’ but had concluded it would be ‘best served by my supporting you from outside government’. Notably, Haigh states that Starmer was already aware of the fraud conviction. In response to her resignation letter, Starmer has replied:

‘Thank you for all you have done to deliver this government’s ambitious transport agenda.