TRANSPORT Secretary Louise Haigh has admitted to lying to police in 2014 after claiming her phone was stolen, a report claims.
The cabinet minister says she was mugged during a night out in 2013 and gave police a copy of all the items taken.
GettySecretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh claims she was mugged in 2013[/caption]
AlamyHaigh gave police a list of items stolen from her, claiming that her work phone was gone[/caption]
She included in that list her work mobile, but discovered “some time later” it had not been taken.
Haigh has told Sky News that she regrets the mistake and that she pleaded guilty to an offence in connection with the bungle.
She said that she was called into speak to police when the work phone was switched on.
In a statement she said: “My solicitor advised me not to comment during that interview and I regret following that advice.
“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.
“I was a young woman and the experience was terrifying.”
Haigh at the time worked as a public policy manager at insurance company Aviva.
Sky News cites sources saying that Haigh made the false report to benefit personally and get a newer phone from the company.
Two sources claimed she lost her job over the incident.
Haigh appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court six months before the 2015 general election where she was elected to parliament.
In her statement, Haigh claimed the Court gave her the lowest possible outcome available, a discharge.
Her conviction is now considered “spent”.
Louise Haigh has been approached for comment.
PAHaigh worked at the time as a public policy manager at insurance company Aviva[/caption]
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