Transport Secretary Louise Haigh admits she pleaded guilty over work phone incident

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has admitted she pleaded guilty after giving police false information about her work mobile phone being stolen back in 2013.

Reports surfaced on Thursday evening (November 28) from Sky News and The Times that Ms Haigh admitted to an offence in 2014 following the episode where she reported the device was stolen, describing it as being 'mugged'.

In a statement released later, Haigh clarified that she realised "some time later" that the phone had not been taken after all. She insists the incident was a "genuine mistake", emphasizing that there was no profiteering involved and stating that the magistrates handed down the "lowest possible outcome".

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In her explanation, Ms Haigh said: "In 2013 I was mugged while on a night out. I was a young woman and the experience was terrifying."

She continued, "I reported it to the police and gave them a list of what I believed had been taken – including a work mobile phone that had been issued by my employer.

"Some time later I discovered that the mobile in question had not been taken. In the interim I had been issued with another work phone.

"The original work device being switched on triggered police attention and I was asked to come in for questioning. My solicitor advised me not to comment during that interview and I regret following that advice."

Concluding her reflections on the legal proceedings, Ms Haigh stated, "The police referred the matter to the CPS and I appeared before Southwark magistrates. Under the advice of my solicitor I pleaded guilty – despite the fact this was a genuine mistake from which I did not make any gain.

"The magistrates accepted all of these arguments and gave me the lowest possible outcome (a discharge) available."

Ms Haigh has represented Sheffield Heeley as an MP since 2015, and has held various shadow ministerial and cabinet positions before taking on the role of Transport Secretary following Labour's victory in July. It is believed to be a fraud offence, and she fully disclosed the incident to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer upon her appointment to the shadow cabinet.

The conviction is now spent. The Conservative Party chair has voiced that the Prime Minister must address "serious questions" regarding this issue.

Nigel Huddleston stated: "These are extremely concerning revelations about the person responsible for managing £30 billion of taxpayers’ money."

"Keir Starmer has serious questions to answer regarding what he knew and when about the person he appointed as Transport Secretary admitting to having misled the police."