Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has admitted pleading responsible to an offence related with deceptive the police whereas a parliamentary candidate in 2014, Sky Information can reveal.
Sky Information understands Ms Haigh appeared at Camberwell Inexperienced Magistrates’ Courtroom six months earlier than the 2015 basic election, after making a false report back to officers that her cell phone had been stolen.
Ms Haigh mentioned she was “mugged whereas on an evening out” in 2013. She then reported the incident to the police and gave officers a listing of things she believed had been taken – together with a piece cell phone.
In a press release to Sky Information, the transport secretary mentioned she found “a while later” that “the cell in query had not been taken”.
She added: “Within the interim, I had been issued with one other work telephone.”
The transport secretary mentioned: “The unique work machine being switched on triggered police consideration and I used to be requested to come back in for questioning.
“My solicitor suggested me to not remark throughout that interview and I remorse following that recommendation.
“The police referred the matter to the CPS and I appeared earlier than Southwark magistrates.”
Ms Haigh continued: “Below the recommendation of my solicitor I pleaded responsible – regardless of the actual 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 doable consequence (a discharge) obtainable.”
It is understood her conviction is now categorized as ‘spent’.
Nonetheless, three separate sources claimed she made the false report to learn personally, with two of the sources alleging she wished a extra trendy work handset that was being rolled out to her colleagues on the time.
The now cupboard minister had been working as a public coverage supervisor at Aviva, however two sources mentioned she misplaced her job on the insurance coverage agency due to the incident.
Her authorities profile states she left this position in 2015 earlier than turning into the MP for Sheffield Heeley at that 12 months’s basic election.
Sky Information understands the incident was disclosed in full when Ms Haigh was appointed to the shadow cupboard.
Within the assertion given to Sky Information, the transport secretary mentioned: “I used to be a younger lady and the expertise was terrifying.”
Conservative Occasion Chairman Nigel Huddleston instructed Sky Information the revelations are “extraordinarily regarding”.
He added: “Keir Starmer has severe inquiries to reply concerning what he knew and when concerning the individual he appointed as Transport Secretary admitting to having misled the police.”
Earlier than coming into politics, the transport secretary was a particular constable within the Metropolitan Police – serving between 2009 and 2011 within the South London Borough of Lambeth, near the place she was convicted a number of years later.
Louise Haigh was a particular constable from 2009-2011. Pic: www.louisehaigh.org.uk
She was appointed shadow policing minister by Jeremy Corbyn in 2017 and often drew on her expertise within the Met when difficult the Tory authorities on the rising calls for on officers.
As transport secretary, Ms Haigh appoints members of the board that oversees the British Transport Police.
In 2019 she mentioned that Boris Johnson had “deceived the police” and dedicated a “severe breach of belief” over claims he politicised serving officers throughout a speech in West Yorkshire.
Sir Keir Starmer promoted the Sheffield MP to shadow Northern Eire secretary in 2020 earlier than transferring her to shadow transport secretary in 2021.
On this transient she has been an outspoken critic of the mass sacking of 800 workers by P&O Ferries in 2022.
In October, whereas transport secretary, she accused P&O of being a “rogue operator” and referred to as for a boycott of its providers.
The feedback precipitated the agency’s Dubai-based proprietor to review a planned £1bn UK port investment – one thing that was re-confirmed after ministers held urgent talks with the company.
Louise Haigh has been the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Heeley since 2015
However she was publicly rebuked by Sir Keir who mentioned her opinions had been “not the view of the federal government”.
With connections to former Downing Road chief of workers Sue Gray, there was hypothesis her cupboard position might be underneath menace in a future reshuffle.
Ms Grey’s son, Labour MP Liam Conlon, is Ms Haigh’s parliamentary non-public secretary and acts as her “eyes and ears” in parliament, whereas one other of her former workers additionally labored for the previous chief of workers earlier than she was sacked after shedding an influence battle inside Quantity 10.
As transport secretary, Ms Haigh was one in every of a handful of cupboard ministers who complained to the Treasury about impending cuts within the funds.
She is taken into account to be one of many extra left-wing members of the cupboard and has vowed to “rip up the roots of Thatcherism” together with her plans for rail and bus reform.
In 2015, Ms Haigh was one in every of a variety of Labour MPs to appoint Mr Corbyn for chief – a call she later mentioned she regretted.
