UK transport minister quits in new blow to PM Starmer

Britain’s Transport Minister Resigns Over Past Misconduct #

Louise Haigh, Britain’s transport minister, has resigned after pleading guilty to misleading police regarding a work mobile phone. This development marks the first resignation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top ministerial team since their significant election victory in July.

In 2014, Haigh was convicted and received a conditional discharge after falsely claiming she lost her phone during a mugging. She later discovered the phone was at her home. Calling it a “mistake,” Haigh mentioned in her resignation letter that the situation would distract from the government’s work and policies. She stated, “I remain totally committed to our political project, but I now believe it will be best served by my supporting you from outside government.”

Her resignation is a setback for Starmer as his party’s approval ratings have declined since July. The government faced criticism for limiting fuel payments to the elderly and accepting donations for clothing and hospitality. The administration also caused discontent among farmers with changes to inheritance tax and businesses frustrated with a budget that raised taxes primarily on firms and the wealthy.

Haigh, elected in 2015, has held senior posts under both Starmer and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. She described the incident with the phone as a “genuine mistake” from which she “did not make any gain.”