Key facts
- Labour MP Bayo Alaba is under investigation by his party.
- Alaba has been suspended from the whip.
- The investigation concerns Covid loans taken out by his businesses.
- Alaba confirmed taking two bounceback loans and is repaying them.
- Questions exist regarding attempts to wind up one of his companies and loan eligibility.
Labour MP Bayo Alaba has been suspended from the party's whip and is facing an internal investigation after questions were raised about government Covid loans obtained by his businesses. The Times newspaper reportedly prompted the inquiry after asking about loans taken out by Alaba's companies during the pandemic.
Alaba, the MP for Southend East & Rochford, confirmed that he had accessed financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic and had taken out two bounceback loans, which he is now repaying. However, he has not directly addressed inquiries about why he attempted to wind up one of his companies, Alaba Properties Ltd, in 2022, nor whether his companies were initially eligible for the loans.