Officers investigating Louise Haigh’s “stolen” telephone believed a photograph she submitted of the handset had been taken after the alleged theft, Sky Information has been advised.
Two sources stated after taking a look at metadata hooked up to the photograph – info that usually particulars when pictures have been captured – officers believed it had been taken after the date at which Ms Haigh alleged the telephone had been stolen.
Sources near Ms Haigh didn’t reply when approached concerning the allegation.
The Sheffield MP resigned as transport secretary on Friday after Sky Information revealed she pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2014 in relation to an allegedly stolen telephone.
The conviction is believed to narrate to fraud.
The now former transport secretary claims the incident was a “real mistake” from which she didn’t profit.
Nonetheless, Sky Information has spoken to 3 sources who say the stolen telephone report was pursued by Ms Haigh for her personal private acquire.
Sky Information had additionally spoken to 1 supply who alleged that the handset was used to name Ms Haigh’s mom quickly after the reported theft, however had been unable to confirm the allegation.
Pic: PA
On Thursday night time, Ms Haigh stated the incident arose after she was “mugged whereas on an evening out” in 2013.
She stated she reported the incident to the police and gave officers an inventory of things she believed had been taken – together with a piece cell phone.
Nonetheless, in her assertion to Sky Information, she stated she found “a while later” that “the cellular in query had not been taken”.
Within the interim she was issued with one other work telephone. When she turned on the unique work gadget, it “triggered police consideration and I used to be requested to return in for questioning”, she stated.
“My solicitor suggested me to not remark throughout that interview and I remorse following that recommendation,” she added.
“Below the recommendation of my solicitor I pleaded responsible – regardless of the very fact this was a real mistake from which I didn’t make any acquire.
“The magistrates accepted all of those arguments and gave me the bottom potential end result (a discharge) accessible.”
It’s understood Ms Haigh believes she disclosed the incident in full when she was appointed to the shadow cupboard in 2020.
Nonetheless, Downing Avenue stated on Friday that Ms Haigh resigned after “new info” emerged, however declined to say formally if the prime minister knew concerning the conviction when he appointed his cupboard in July.
On Friday, a supply advised Sky Information’ political editor Beth Rigby that the story that emerged on Thursday was “inconsistent” with what Sir Keir had been advised when Ms Haigh was appointed to his shadow cupboard.
It’s understood the prime minister was “not capable of sq. the circle” and consequently the cupboard minister was suggested to resign.
Associates of Ms Haigh insist she shared the “full details” of the conviction and that Sir Keir “had expressed sympathy that police had taken the choice to prosecute her”.
